Next: 8 Mar to 1 May 2027
The Coptic and Ethiopian Great Lent
Fifty-five days of fasting before Easter, in which Coptic, Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox couples do not marry.
When is The Coptic and Ethiopian Great Lent in 2027?
The Coptic and Ethiopian Great Lent 2027 runs from 8 March to 1 May 2027. Other years: 2026, 16 February to 11 April 2026; 2028, 21 February to 15 April 2028.
About The Coptic and Ethiopian Great Lent
The Coptic, Ethiopian and Eritrean churches keep a Great Lent of fifty-five days that begins a week before the Greek Orthodox one. In Ethiopia it is called Abiy Tsom. Weddings are not held in it, and the dry season weddings of the Ethiopian year are therefore fixed before it begins or after Easter. The dates follow the Orthodox Easter by the Julian reckoning.
The Coptic and Ethiopian Great Lent dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | The Coptic and Ethiopian Great Lent date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 February to 11 April 2026 |
| 2027 | 8 March to 1 May 2027 |
| 2028 | 21 February to 15 April 2028 |
What is served
- shiro
- lentils
- injera
Also part of it, and being written: Great Lent (The Lenten fast.), Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (The church whose fast it is.).
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background: "Great Lent" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.