Ecclesiasticism
/ˌɛkliˈziːstɪˌsɪzəm/noun
The principles, influence, or practices of the Christian church or clergy.
Did you know?Its deepest root is Greek ekklēsia, the word for a civic assembly, so the “church” was originally named with the language of public calling and collective gathering.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kel-
“to call, summon, or cry out”
Ancient Greek
GRK
ekkalein
“to call out, summon”
Ancient Greek
GRK
ekklēsia
“an assembly, especially a summoned public gathering”
Late Latin
LAT
ecclesiastica
“pertaining to the church or clergy”
Middle English
ENG
ecclesiastic
“a member of the clergy; churchman”
Modern English
ENG
ecclesiasticism
“the doctrines, system, or spirit of the church or clergy”