About

In the rhythm of the Orthodox Christian year, strict asceticism is balanced by periods of total celebration. This tool is designed for the faithful, choir directors, and parish administrators who need to identify the Absolute Fast-Free Weeks (Harlequin or 'Zentag' weeks). Unlike standard non-fasting days, these specific weeks suspend the usual Wednesday and Friday fasting rule, allowing for the consumption of all foods (or specific food groups) every day of the week.

Accuracy is paramount here because these dates shift annually based on the Julian Paschalion. Mistaking a fast-free week for a fasting week (or vice versa) disrupts the liturgical flow of the community. This calculator uses the Gaussian Paschal algorithm to precisely locate the Triodion entry (Publican & Pharisee), the Resurrection celebration (Bright Week), and the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Trinity Week) for any given year.

Formulas

The calculation hinges on determining the date of Orthodox Pascha (Julian Easter) converted to the Gregorian calendar. The core logic uses the algorithm where Y is the year:

a = Y mod 19

b = Y mod 4

c = Y mod 7

d = (19a + 15) mod 30

e = (2b + 4c − d + 34) mod 7

The resulting d + e represents the offset from the Julian equinox. A correction factor of 13 days is added for the Gregorian conversion (1900-2099).

Reference Data

Period Name	Typical Duration	Dietary Rules	Liturgical Context
Publican & Pharisee	1 Week (Mon-Sun)	Total Fast-Free	Pre-Lent. Symbolizes humility; we do not fast like the Pharisee.
Meatfare Week	1 Week (Mon-Sun)	Meat Allowed (excl. Wed/Fri)	Last week to eat meat before Pascha. Wed/Fri are fast days.
Cheesefare (Maslenitsa)	1 Week (Mon-Sun)	No Meat / Dairy Allowed	Dairy and eggs allowed every day (including Wed/Fri). Pre-Lent preparation.
Bright Week	1 Week (Mon-Sun)	Total Fast-Free	Immediately follows Pascha (Easter). The joy of Resurrection supersedes all fasting.
Trinity Week	1 Week (Mon-Sun)	Total Fast-Free	Follows Pentecost. Celebration of the Holy Spirit.
Christmas Twelve Days	Dec 25 - Jan 4	Total Fast-Free	Fixed dates. Fasting is suspended between Nativity and Theophany Eve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. During the specific weeks of Publican & Pharisee, Bright Week, and Trinity Week, the Church canons explicitly suspend the Wednesday and Friday fast. You may consume animal products on these days.

Cheesefare (the week before Great Lent) is not 'Fast-Free' in the total sense. It is a 'Meat-Fast' week. You cannot eat meat at all, but you are permitted to eat dairy, eggs, and fish on every day of the week, including Wednesday and Friday.

This tool calculates the dates as they appear on the Civil (Gregorian) calendar, which is what most people use for work and school. However, the calculation is based on the Julian Paschalion, which is observed by strictly all Eastern Orthodox churches regardless of which calendar they use for fixed feasts.

It serves as a spiritual check against pride. The Pharisee boasted that he fasted twice a week. To avoid simulating his pride, the Church instructs us not to fast at all during this preparatory week.