The Triodion marks the beginning of a significant spiritual and cultural period in the Orthodox Church, officially starting on February 1, 2026. This season signals the opening of Carnival celebrations while also guiding the faithful toward Great Lent and, ultimately, the joy of Easter, according to en.protothema.gr
Named after the three-ode hymns sung during church services, the Triodion is both a liturgical period and a sacred book. It contains the hymns and prayers used from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee – ten weeks before Pascha – through Great and Holy Saturday. During this time, the Church gradually prepares believers for the spiritual discipline of Lent through worship, prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.
According to goarch.com, the Triodion begins with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, which teaches humility and sincere repentance. It is followed by the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, emphasizing God’s mercy and the power of repentance through the well-known parable of the loving father and his returning child. The third preparatory Sunday, known as Meatfare or the Sunday of the Last Judgment, turns attention to personal responsibility and the call to love and compassion. The period concludes with Cheesefare Sunday, also called the Sunday of Forgiveness, inviting believers to seek reconciliation with one another before entering Great Lent.
Beyond its spiritual meaning, the Triodion is deeply woven into Greek tradition, blending faith with community customs and festive gatherings, making it a time of reflection, renewal, and shared joy.
Sources: en.protothema.gr, goarch.com
