A forefeast (also known as prefeast) is a period of time preceding certain major feasts of the Christian year during which the Church anticipates the approaching festival. The liturgical life of the Church reflects this anticipation by foreshadowing the feast in the divine services celebrated during the forefeast. Most commemorations that have a forefeast also have an afterfeast and a leavetaking. The period of a forefeast varies from 1 to 5 days, depending on the particular feast.