Saturday, 5 September 2026, the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth, parents of Saint John the Baptist. Holy Martyr Urban is also commemorated. In the official calendar of the Romanian Patriarchate, the day is not marked as a feast with a red or black cross.
The Orthodox calendar is not merely a list of names. Throughout the year, it sets out feasts, fasting days, biblical readings and times of prayer. Below is a concise guide to frequently asked questions: what the calendar symbols mean, how candles are lit, what an akathist and a paraklesis are, and how the Divine Liturgy unfolds.
In the same context, see also Why does an octopus have three hearts and blue blood? The surprising anatomy of a marine predator, which presents further relevant information.
Which saints are commemorated today, 5 September 2026?
Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth are honoured as the parents of Saint John the Baptist. They appear in the Gospel according to Luke in connection with the announcement of John’s birth. The day’s calendar also lists Holy Martyr Urban.
For a daily check of feasts, readings and fasting days, the most reliable option is the official calendar of the Romanian Patriarchate. The Nativity of the Mother of God follows on 8 September, a feast popularly known as Little Saint Mary; find further explanations about the date and traditions associated with Little Saint Mary.
What do the red and black crosses mean in the Orthodox calendar?
The symbols in the calendar indicate, above all, the day’s liturgical importance—that is, the scope of the services appointed by the Church. They are not a list of superstitions and should not be interpreted as an absolute prohibition on every everyday activity.
- A red cross marks major feasts: feasts of the Lord, important feasts of the Mother of God, or feasts of especially venerated saints. In customary practice, the faithful are encouraged to give the day a festive character and, where possible, to attend church.
- A black cross indicates an important feast, but one of lower liturgical rank than those marked in red. It is a suitable day for prayer and for honouring the commemorated saint, without the symbol automatically implying the same practical rules as a major feast.
- No cross is used for saints commemorated each day with a simpler liturgical order.
The markings may have minor editorial variations among calendar editions. The basic explanation remains the same: they indicate the solemnity of the service; they do not justify fear or locally invented rules. A detailed liturgical explanation is available in How to observe a feast day.
What are the 12 Great Feasts of the Lord?
In Romanian Orthodox tradition, the 12 Great Feasts are the major feasts dedicated to the Saviour Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. Pascha occupies a distinct place, being called the “Feast of Feasts”, and is therefore not included in this count.
- The Nativity of the Mother of God — 8 September
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross — 14 September
- The Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple — 21 November
- The Nativity of the Lord — 25 December
- The Baptism of the Lord — 6 January
- The Presentation of the Lord — 2 February
- The Annunciation — 25 March
- The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem — Palm Sunday, with a movable date
- The Ascension of the Lord — 40 days after Pascha
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit — Pentecost, 50 days after Pascha
- The Transfiguration of the Lord — 6 August
- The Dormition of the Mother of God — 15 August
Why are candles lit in church, and where are they placed?
A lit candle expresses prayer, faith and the desire to bring light before God. It is neither a fee nor a magical gesture. Candles for the living and the departed are placed in the designated areas of the church.
Practical rule: follow the signs on the candle stand or discreetly ask at the church shop. In many churches, the places for the living and the departed are separate, although their location is not the same everywhere. There is no universal rule that “the living must be on the left” or “the dead must be on the right”.
You may light one candle for one or several people, and simply say a personal prayer. The gesture gains meaning through prayer and attention to those remembered, not through the number of candles. For an explanation of this custom, see the role of the candle in Orthodox worship.
How is the sign of the cross made correctly, and what does it symbolise?
In Orthodox practice, the sign of the cross is made with the right hand. The thumb, index finger and middle finger are joined as a confession of the Holy Trinity, while the ring finger and little finger are folded towards the palm as a symbol of Christ’s two natures: divine and human.
- Touch your forehead at the words, “In the name of the Father”;
- touch your chest or upper abdomen at “and of the Son”;
- touch your right shoulder, then your left shoulder, at “and of the Holy Spirit”;
- say, “Amen.”
The sign of the cross should not be made hurriedly, as an inattentive reflex. It professes faith in the Holy Trinity and recalls Christ’s Cross and Resurrection. If someone cannot use their right hand for medical reasons, that inability does not invalidate prayer. The order of this gesture is also explained by Doxologia.
What is an akathist, and when is it read?
An akathist is a service of praise and prayer addressed to God, the Mother of God or a saint. Its name comes from the Greek akathistos, meaning “not sitting”, although reading it at home may reasonably be adapted to one’s age, health and circumstances.
An akathist may be read at any time, as a personal prayer of thanksgiving, petition or veneration of a saint. There is no requirement that every akathist be read on a particular day. Some traditions recommend certain akathists for days of the week, but these are devotional guidelines, not a rigid formula.
What is a paraklesis, and what is the difference between an akathist and a paraklesis?
A paraklesis is a prayer service through which the faithful ask for help, comfort and intercession in times of trouble, illness, anxiety or other trials. The word also has a second meaning: it can refer to a chapel or a small church.
The simple distinction is as follows:
| Prayer | Main emphasis | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Akathist | Praise and veneration | Hymns in the form of kontakia and oikoi, addressed to Christ, the Mother of God or the saints |
| Paraklesis | A plea for help and comfort | A prayer of intercession with its own liturgical structure |
Both may be read at home or in church. The choice should not be made out of fear of choosing the “wrong prayer”, but according to one’s spiritual need and, where appropriate, the advice of one’s spiritual father.
What is a commemoration list, and which names are included at the Divine Liturgy?
A commemoration list is a list of names for whom prayers are requested in church. As a rule, the living and the departed are listed separately. At the Divine Liturgy, the baptismal names of baptised Orthodox Christians are ordinarily included.
- Write baptismal names clearly: Maria, Ioan, Elena, Gheorghe;
- separate the list of the living from that of the departed;
- surnames, nicknames, addresses and very long accounts are not necessary;
- for special situations or questions about commemoration, seek the guidance of the parish priest.
A commemoration list is not an “order” for the automatic resolution of a problem. It is the community’s request for prayer. In the Liturgy, commemoration is connected with the Proskomedia and prayers for the living and the departed, as Ziarul Lumina explains.
What are Holy Unction, confession and Holy Communion?
Holy Unction
Holy Unction is the sacrament of the Church in which prayers are offered for the spiritual and physical healing of those who are ill. It is not a service reserved exclusively for the final moments of life, nor should it be treated as an automatic healing ritual. It is celebrated in church or, when necessary, at the sick person’s home, according to the parish’s liturgical order and schedule.
Confession
Confession, also called the Sacrament of Repentance, is the sacrament in which the faithful confess their sins before God, in the presence of their confessor, with sincere repentance. Sound preparation does not mean finding impressive words, but examining oneself honestly: what one has done, what one has neglected, whom one has hurt and what one wishes to put right.
It is helpful to make brief notes of important matters so as not to forget them, but confession is not a discussion of other people’s faults. It should not be postponed out of shame: the priest is bound to preserve the secrecy of confession.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is the reception of Christ’s Body and Blood during the Divine Liturgy. Specific preparation is determined with one’s confessor, because each person’s circumstances may differ. Ordinarily, it involves confession, reconciliation with those around one, prayer, fasting and observing the guidance received from the priest.
There is no identical formula for everyone, and illness, age, pregnancy or other circumstances may require individual guidance. Preparation for Communion should be undertaken responsibly, not according to anonymous recommendations online.
Why is there fasting on Wednesday and Friday?
In Orthodox tradition, Wednesday recalls Judas’s betrayal of Jesus Christ, while Friday recalls the Lord’s Crucifixion. Fasting is not limited to food: it also involves self-restraint, prayer, reconciliation with others and almsgiving.
There are also weeks when there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and the official calendar records these exceptions. People who are ill, children, pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should seek spiritual and medical advice when necessary, rather than mechanically follow rules that could affect their health.
How many fasts are there in a year, and how long do they last?
The Orthodox Church has four major fasts:
- Great Lent — before Pascha; its duration depends on the date of Pascha. In 2026, it runs from 23 February to 11 April.
- The Fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul — its duration varies. In 2026, it runs from 8 to 28 June.
- The Dormition Fast — 1–14 August; in 2026, the calendar indicates that the fast begins on the evening of 31 July, according to the liturgical order.
- The Nativity Fast — 15 November–24 December, ordinarily 40 days.
There are also one-day fasts, such as 29 August, the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, and 14 September, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
What does a dispensation for fish, oil and wine mean?
A dispensation indicates that on a particular fasting day, the Church’s liturgical order permits the consumption of foods that are not permitted during the rest of the fast. The most common expressions are:
- a dispensation for fish — fish is permitted;
- a dispensation for oil and wine — the use of oil and wine is permitted;
- a dispensation for all foods — a day without dietary fasting.
A dispensation is not an encouragement to excess, nor does it turn fasting into a mere list of menus. Always check the current year’s calendar for the exact days, since some observances depend on the date of Pascha and the day of the week.
What happens at the Divine Liturgy, in brief?
The Divine Liturgy is the central service of the Orthodox Church. In it, the community prays, hears Scripture, offers gifts of bread and wine, and prepares for Communion.
- Proskomedia — before the Liturgy visible to the faithful, the priest prepares the gifts of bread and wine and commemorates the living and the departed.
- The opening and litanies — prayers are offered for peace, the Church, the world, people in need and salvation.
- The Epistle and the Gospel — passages from Scripture are read, sometimes followed by a sermon.
- The Great Entrance — the gifts are solemnly brought to the Holy Table.
- The Creed and the Anaphora — the faithful profess the faith and the priest says the Eucharistic prayer.
- The sanctification of the Gifts — the bread and wine are sanctified to become Christ’s Body and Blood, according to Orthodox belief.
- Communion — those who are prepared and blessed by their confessor approach the Holy Chalice.
- The dismissal — the service concludes with the final blessing, and the faithful receive anaphora, blessed bread.
Attending the Liturgy does not require knowing every hymn or liturgical movement from the outset. It is enough to arrive a little before the beginning, remain quiet, follow the service and ask discreetly when something is unclear. In Orthodox life, the calendar, candle, fasting and prayer find their meaning together: as forms of lived faith, not obligations performed out of fear.
Frequently asked questions
Which saints are commemorated on 5 September 2026 in the Orthodox calendar?
On 5 September 2026, Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth, parents of Saint John the Baptist, as well as Holy Martyr Urban, are commemorated.
Is 5 September 2026 a fasting day?
No. The date of 5 September 2026 falls on a Saturday and is not indicated in the Romanian Orthodox calendar as a fasting day. For exceptions and local observances, check the official calendar of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Can unbaptised people or people of another faith be included on a commemoration list?
At the Divine Liturgy, the baptismal names of baptised Orthodox Christians are ordinarily included. For other circumstances, including personal prayer for people of another faith, it is advisable to seek the guidance of the parish priest or one’s confessor.
Must one candle be lit for every person commemorated?
There is no obligation to light one candle for each name. One candle may accompany prayer for several people, living or departed, in the designated place in church.
What is the simplest difference between an akathist and a paraklesis?
An akathist is primarily a prayer of praise and veneration, while a paraklesis places greater emphasis on asking for help and comfort in times of trial.
