evangeli

Evangeli is a term used in several languages to denote the Gospels, the four canonical gospel texts in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). It may also refer to the concept of good news proclaimed in Christian faith, or to the texts themselves as a group.

Etymology and usage vary by language. The term derives from Greek euangelion "good news," via Latin evangelium, and many languages form plural or variant spellings such as evangeli, evanghelii, or evangelia. In modern usage, evangeli often appears in liturgical, scholarly, or translational contexts rather than in everyday English.

In liturgical contexts, related terms appear in phrases like the Evangeliary, a book or section that contains the Gospel readings appointed for Sundays and feast days and used during worship in various Christian traditions. The individual gospel texts are also referred to by the names of their authors, with Evangelists used for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Historically, the concept dates to early Christianity, where the four gospels circulated together as canonical readings. The word evangelion and its descendants appear in Latin and Greek versions of scripture and early church writings. The broader term has influenced related words in many languages and underpins modern terms such as evangelical and evangelism in English, as well as equivalents in other tongues.

See also: Gospel; Evangelist; Evangelium; Evangeliary.