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Definition
According to The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, heortology refers to "the study of the origin, history and meaning" behind the seasons and festivals during the ecclesiastical, or church calendar year. Heortology encourages scholars interested in theology to take the subjects presented in biblical texts, sermons and sacramental instruction, and to examine them through with "critical credulity and skeptical unbelief."

Significance of Etymology
Heortology refers strictly to the study of the festival and holidays associated with the Christian religious tradition. However, it is important to discuss the Greek etymology for the term. The word heortology can be broke down into the Greek root heortē, or feast and -ology meaning to study. According to Athenians, heortē is done in the spirit of religious tradition, and they supports this knowledge with classic Greek scholars. For example, in his text LawsPlato discusses that the Greeks practice twelve differentheortaiconsisting "of sacrifices, choruses, and musical and athletic contests" in respect to the twelve gods. Plato explains that the heortai to the gods, draws the eyes of the gods to their followers in order to draw recognition for the sacrifices they are making in order to fulfill the lives the gods had given. However, Aristotle established the idea that heortai is associated with play. Aristotle's definition of heortai was reflective of life in Athens in the 4th and 5th centuries. During this time, heortai presents an opportunity for joyous celebration, and encompasses religious celebration with entertainment, including: feasting, sing and dance and sacrifice.

Leading Figures
Leading figures in the theoretical study of heortology include Plato and Aristotle.

Christmas
Heortological analysis is used in the study of the historical reasoning behind the festivals and holidays of the Christian religious tradition. For example, in the text Calendar, Chronology And Worship: Studies in Ancient Judaism And Early Christianity, by Roger T. Beckwith discusses the Three Cycles of the Christmas season. Beckwith explains that there is an extended side to Christmas, that Heortological study looks at, that extends past the more popularly known Nativity story. The Three Cycles of Christmas are celebrated over the entire course of every Sunday of the Christian year, considering with the life events of Jesus Christ. For example, the First Christmas Cycle is the longest of the year. The First Cycle begins with the birth of Christ on December 25th, and stays in this season until the first of November, the following year. However, the first and second season of Christmas overlap. The second Christmas season begins on Saint's Day on November 1st, until the 30th of December when it is believed that Jesus named his first apostles. Moreover, the Third Christmas cycles is generally overlooked. This season corresponds with the events after the crucifixion of Christ, and the Virgin Mary.

Easter
Karl Adam Heinrich Kellner, in the text Heortology: A History of the Christian Festivals from Their Origin to the Present Day, explains that in many modern cultures today, people forget that Easter is associated with the Christian sacrament of Baptism. Originally, the Easter festival and the mass administration of Baptism were celebrated together, in the Triduum. The triduum consists of the three-day liturgy of Easter, celebrated from Holy Thursday until the evening of Easter Sunday. This one massive festival would also include the other traditional elements of Easter, including: the passing of Lent, and Christ's resurrection.