The Orthodox Church does not fast continuously. Interspersed with the fasting seasons are fast-free weeks — periods when all fasting is suspended entirely, including the regular Wednesday and Friday fast. These are not exceptions or loopholes; they are built into the liturgical calendar as expressions of joy.
The five fast-free weeks
1. The week between Christmas and Theophany
December 25 – January 4 (New Calendar) or approximately 13 days in Old Calendar
The period between the Nativity of Christ (December 25) and the Eve of Theophany (January 5) is fast-free. Wednesday and Friday fasting is suspended. The Church fasts on January 5 (the Eve of Theophany) — but not the days between Christmas and that eve.
2. The week after Theophany
January 7–13 (approximately)
The days immediately following the feast of Theophany (January 6) are also fast-free, continuing the celebration of Christ’s baptism. The fast resumes with the next regular Wednesday.
3. Cheesefare Week (Maslenitsa)
The week immediately before Great Lent
The last week before Great Lent is unusual: meat has already been abstained from since the previous Sunday (“Meatfare Sunday”), but dairy and eggs are still permitted — even on Wednesday and Friday. This week of dairy eating is itself a preparation, softening the transition into the Great Fast.
4. Bright Week (Pascha Week)
The week following Pascha
The greatest fast-free week. From Pascha Sunday through the following Saturday, there is no fasting whatsoever. The fast that preceded Pascha gives way entirely to the feast. In some traditions, the royal doors remain open all week; fasting and prostrations are suspended. Every day is a feast.
5. Trinity Week (the week after Pentecost)
The week following Pentecost Sunday
The week after Pentecost (All Saints Week in some traditions) is fast-free. The regular Wednesday and Friday fast resumes after this week.
Why does the Church suspend fasting?
The fast-free weeks correspond to seasons of intense liturgical joy — the Incarnation, the Theophany, the Resurrection, the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Church does not fast during weddings; the feast is incompatible with the fast.
St. John Chrysostom wrote of Pascha: “Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shone from the grave.” The feast demands the full table.
How Feast or Fast shows these weeks
When you are in a fast-free week, the app shows “Fast Free” with the green tier. Wednesday and Friday are treated the same as any other day — all foods are permitted. You will still see the liturgical name of the day (feast days within the week are still celebrated), but there is no fasting requirement.
The fast-free weeks are easy to forget mid-week. Feast or Fast tracks them automatically so you never accidentally fast during Bright Week.