The Rev. Jim Karagas is pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.File Photo

In Ecclesia, we find an assembly that is called by God himself

Web posted March 14, 1998

By Rev. Jim Karagas
Special Columnist

Ecclesia=Church

The term Ecclesia is of classical Greek origin, deriving from the verb in Greek ``to convene,'' meaning an assembly of citizens convened by lay leadership for political or other reasons of city or state concern. However as it concerns us in worship, it was first used by the 70 translators of the Old Testament into Greek completed by the middle of the second century B.C. (known as the Septuagint).

It denotes the assembly of the people of Israel for religious, political or military reasons. As we see in Acts of the Apostles 19:32-39, there are two distinct kinds of assembly, the one "in confusion,'' the other "regular.''

In the Septuagint, the term Ecclesia is used 96 times, mostly with shades of meaning deriving from the purpose of convening the assembly and from its function while in session.

Contemporary usage of the term Ecclesia:

The New Testament writers adopted the term Ecclesia from the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint) and used it many times.

It's found 63 times in St. Paul's writings, and St. Luke uses the term 23 times in the book of Acts.

The Lord himself used the term Ecclesia twice: in St. Matthews Gospel 16:18, where he speaks of his church (Ecclesia) to be founded on the rock of faith, and in 18:17 and following, where he appoints his apostles shepherds of his church.

More frequently, however, the Lord uses synonymous expressions such as "Kingdom of Heavens'' and "Kingdom of God.''The general use of the term Ecclesia in the New Testament appears to signify the collection of those believing in Christ gathered together in "Ecclesia.''

This gathering of faithful could be small, as in someone's home, or large, as in the cities of Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephessis, Thessalonica or others.

Today and forever the faithful will always feel that they constitute the Ecclesia of Christ whenever they convene to worship and give glory to God.

As the great fathers of the early Christian Orthodox faith called the church Ecclesia (assembly), not because she is called together (assembled) by herself, but by another One, our Trinitarian God himself.

The Rev. Jim Karagas is pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.