ekklsía

Ekklsía is a transliteration variant of the Greek term ἐκκλησία, meaning “assembly” or “congregation.” Historically, the word designated a gathering of people, and in different contexts it referred to both secular assemblies in ancient Greece and, later, to religious communities. In Christian usage, ekklesía came to denote the community of believers and, by extension, the Christian church itself.

Etymology and classical meaning: the word derives from the prefix ἐκ- meaning “out of” and the verb καλῶ, meaning “to call.” Thus, etymologically the term refers to “those who are called out.” In ancient Greek cities, the ekklesía was the general political assembly of eligible citizens, responsible for discussing and deciding public matters.

Christian usage and significance: in early Christian writings, ekklesía referred to the assembled body of believers, both in local congregations and as a universal fellowship. The term is commonly translated as “church” in English Bibles, though some nuance remains: it emphasizes the people who are called rather than the physical building. The concept has shaped ecclesiology, governance, and worship practices, and it influenced related terms in many languages (for example iglesia in Spanish, chiesa in Italian, église in French).

Variant spellings and transliterations: spellings such as ekklesia and ecclesia are common in scholarly and religious literature. The form ekklsía appears in some transliteration schemes or language traditions. Regardless of spelling, the core idea remains the same: a community of those called out, whether as a civic assembly in antiquity or as a religious fellowship in Christian contexts.