Autumn Moși 2026: Saturday 24 October
When it falls, what is taken to church, what is given as alms and what is done at the cemetery on the Saturday before Saint Demetrius.
In 2026, Autumn Moși (Moșii de toamnă) falls on Saturday 24 October. It is the last great commemoration of the dead in the year, held after the harvest, and in Moldova it is kept with the same care as Summer Moși. Below is what is customary around Iași — at church, at the cemetery and at home. The order of the service is for the parish priest to say.
The date in 2026
Orders for colivă, colaci and packages: until Monday 19 October.
Next year: Saturday, 23 October 2027.
When Autumn Moși falls in 2026
Autumn Moși is held on the Saturday before Saint Demetrius, celebrated on 26 October. In 2026, that means Saturday 24 October. Next year it falls on Saturday, 23 October 2027.
Unlike Summer and Winter Moși, its date doesn't depend on Easter, only on the weekday of 26 October. That's why it always falls in the last part of October.
Why it is also called Moșii de Sâmedru
Sâmedru is the folk name of Saint Demetrius, and the Saturday before his feast is called in many villages „Sâmbăta lui Sâmedru” or „Moșii de Sâmedru”. It is the same day, under different names from one area to another.
„Moși” means the ancestors — all of a family's departed. It isn't the commemoration of one person, as at the family intervals, but of all the dead at once.
What is given as alms at Autumn Moși
The autumn alms come from the year's harvest. Besides colaci and candles, seasonal fruit is given — apples, pears, grapes, walnuts — and, in many homes, must or wine from that autumn.
In Moldova, vessels with food are given too: plates, bowls or mugs, full, with a candle and a colac on top. The vessel stays with whoever receives it, also as an offering.
Alms go to those around you: neighbours, the elderly of the village, people in need, people at church. There is no fixed list of recipients; the custom of the house matters more than any rule.
What is taken to church
On Saturday morning the memorial service for all the dead is held. Families bring colivă, colaci, a bottle of wine, candles and a pomelnic — a sheet with the names of the family's departed, read by the priest during the service.
Colivă is made from boiled wheat, sugar and walnuts, so it suits any day. After the service it is shared among those present.
At the cemetery
After the service many families go to the cemetery: the grave is tidied, candles are lit, incense is burned and alms are shared with those there.
It is one of the busiest days of the year at the cemetery. If you want to go with packages, it's simpler to have them ready from home than to make them that morning.
Lenten or non-fasting?
Saturday isn't a fasting day, and the end of October doesn't fall within any of the great fasts — the Nativity Fast only begins on 15 November. So the Autumn Moși alms can be non-fasting.
Families who also fast on Saturdays, or who want to give alms to people who fast, can make part of the packages Lenten. Tell us how many of each.
Autumn Moși and the other commemorations of the year
Autumn Moși is one of the three great Saturdays of the dead in the year, alongside Winter Moși and Summer Moși. There are also the Saturdays of the dead in Great Lent and Paștele Blajinilor — all with calculated dates in the calendar of commemorations.
If you lost someone recently, Moși doesn't replace the family intervals — 40 days, 6 months, one year. It is an additional commemoration, of all the departed.
What you can order from us
For Moși we are usually asked for colaci, colivă and portions of food ready-packed, to give as alms. We braid and bake the colaci to order, and the food comes in takeaway containers, ready to hand out.
For Autumn Moși 2026 we take orders until Monday 19 October. On Moși days we cook for several families at once, so slots fill up faster than in the rest of the year. Within the city of Iași delivery is included.
Frequently asked
What families ask us
When is Autumn Moși in 2026?
Saturday 24 October. Autumn Moși is always held on the Saturday before Saint Demetrius (26 October). Next year it falls on Saturday, 23 October 2027.
What is given as alms at Autumn Moși?
Colaci, candles and seasonal fruit — apples, pears, grapes, walnuts — and in many homes must or wine. In Moldova, vessels with food are given too, with a candle and a colac on top.
What is taken to church at Autumn Moși?
Colivă, colaci, a bottle of wine, candles and the pomelnic with the names of the family's departed, which the priest reads during the service.
Is Autumn Moși a fasting day?
No. Saturday isn't a fasting day, and the end of October isn't within any great fast. The alms can be non-fasting; if you also want Lenten packages for people who fast, tell us how many.
Who are the Moși alms given to?
To those around you: neighbours, the elderly, people in need and people at church or at the cemetery. There's no fixed list — the custom of the house matters more.
Why is it called Autumn Moși and Moșii de Sâmedru?
Sâmedru is the folk name of Saint Demetrius. The Saturday before his feast is called in many villages „Sâmbăta lui Sâmedru”, and „moși” means the ancestors — all of a family's departed.
Do I have to give alms if I've already kept the family intervals?
It isn't mandatory. Moși is the commemoration of all the dead, not of one in particular, and doesn't replace the family intervals. Many families only go to church and the cemetery.
Until when can I order colivă and colaci for Autumn Moși?
For Autumn Moși 2026, we take orders until Monday 19 October. On Moși days we cook for several families at once, so it's worth calling early.
Do you deliver the alms packages for Moși?
Yes. We prepare them ready-packed, in takeaway containers, with the colaci alongside. Within the city of Iași delivery is included.
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