Church Calendar for September 2026: Complete List of Holidays
September is a special month in the church year, as the new church year (New Year) begins on September 1. In addition, this month includes two of the twelve most important feasts — the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, as well as the venerated day of remembrance of the holy martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia.
Major Church Holidays in September
September 1 — The Beginning of the Church Year (New Year). On this day, the faithful celebrate the beginning of the new church year (indict). Also on this day, they honor the memory of St. Simeon the Stylite and his mother, Martha. Churches hold prayer services to mark the beginning of the New Year, giving thanks to God for the past year and asking for His blessings for the coming one.
September 8 — The Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary. One of the twelve greatest Marian feasts, popularly known as the Second Purification. The day is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary to the righteous Joachim and Anna, which marked the beginning of humanity’s salvation. According to tradition, on this day people give thanks for the harvest and ask the Mother of God for her intercession on behalf of their families.
September 14 — The Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. A major Christian feast established to commemorate the discovery of the Lord’s Cross in Jerusalem by Empress Helena and its solemn elevation for the worship of the faithful. This day is a day of strict fasting in remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
September 17 — Saints Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia.
A day of remembrance for the early Christian female martyrs who suffered for their faith in the 2nd century. Their names embody the principal Christian virtues. In folk tradition, this day is considered a special holiday and the name day for many women.
Chronological calendar of all saints and events for September
September 1: The beginning of the church year (New Year). Venerable Simeon the Stylite and his mother, Martha.
September 2: Venerable Mamant; Saint John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople.
September 3: The Holy Martyr Anphimus, Bishop of Nicomedia; Venerable Theoktist.
September 4: The Holy Martyr Vavila, Bishop of Antioch; the Prophet Moses the God-Seer.
September 5: The Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist.
September 6: Commemoration of the miracles of the Archangel Michael at Chonae (Colossae).
September 7: Forefeast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Venerable Macarius of Kaniv.
September 8: The Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary (Second Nativity).
September 9: Saints Joachim and Anne, the Righteous God-parents; Saint Severian the Martyr.
September 10: Saints Peter and Paul, Bishops of Nicaea; Venerable Job of Pochaiv.
September 11: Venerable Theodora of Alexandria.
September 12: The Conclusion of the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Holy Martyr Autonomus.
September 13: The Eve of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Saint Cornelius the Centurion, Holy Martyr.
September 14: The Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Day of Strict Fasting.
September 15: Saint Nikita the Great Martyr.
September 16: Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr, the All-Praised.
September 17: The Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia.
September 18: Venerable Eumenes, Bishop of Gortyna.
September 19: Saints Trochimus, Savatius, and Dorimedon, the Martyrs.
September 20: Saint Eustathius Placidus, the Great Martyr, and his family.
September 21: The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Saint Codratus, one of the Seventy Apostles.
September 22: The Conception of the honorable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, John.
September 23: Saints Andrew, John, Peter, and Anthony, Martyrs.
September 24: Saint Thecla, the First Martyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles.
September 25: Venerable Euphrosyne of Alexandria.
September 26: The Dormition of Saint John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist.
September 27: Saint Callistratus the Martyr and his soldiers.
September 28: Venerable Chariton the Confessor.
September 29: Venerable Cyriacus the Hermit.
September 30: Saint Gregory, the Holy Martyr and Bishop of Armenia. The Saturday before the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God.
