Cheesefare Week

Butterweek, also known as Cheesefare Week, is the seven-day period immediately preceding Great Lent, somewhat comparable to the Roman Catholic tradition of Carnival. During the week, Orthodox Christians partake especially of foods that will soon be forbidden to them for the next eights weeks of Lent and Holy Week. These foods include all animal products (except meat, the fast from which begins the day before Butterweek, Meatfare Sunday), including butter, eggs, cream, milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Also included are wine (all alcohol) and oil, which are only allowed on Saturdays and Sundays during Lent.

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