What does fast-free mean in the Orthodox Church?
A declared fast-free time, when the Church sets the fast aside entirely. All foods are kept, and even the usual Wednesday and Friday fast is lifted, so that the feast may be whole. These are Bright Week following Pascha, the week after Pentecost, the twelve days from the Nativity through January 4, and the week after the Publican and the Pharisee before Lent begins.