Encyclopedia of Liturgical Theology

The Church – 2

We continue with you on this page every week, a section about the Church, which includes much about doctrine, ritual, canon law, and ecclesiastical knowledge.
The Church – 2–1

The Church — Ecclesia in Greek — means assembly or community. It refers to the community of believers who are justified by the grace of Christ and who together enter into the fellowship of one body, the fellowship of the one holy sacrament, and the fellowship of one faith under the care of lawful shepherds.

One Body
The Church, as a community and one body, is mentioned frequently in the epistles of St. Paul.
He says:

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:4–5)

Also:

“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:26–27)

Thus, the Church in this sense is the Body of Christ, and He is the Head.
St. Paul says about the Lord Jesus Christ:

“And He is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1:18)
See also Colossians 2:19, Ephesians 4:15, and Ephesians 1:22; 5:23.

He also says:

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body.” (Ephesians 1:22–23)
“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.” (Ephesians 5:30)
“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church.” (Ephesians 5:23)

The Church is the community of those baptized with one baptism — those who have received sonship to God and live a holy life, for the Body of Christ is holy.
Therefore, whoever does not live this holy life, the Church isolates and separates him from the community of believers — excommunicated.
As the Scripture says:

“Put away from yourselves the evil person.” (1 Corinthians 5:13)

The Believer as a Church
Just as the community of believers is called a Church, so also each individual believer is a small church — a temple of God in whom the Spirit of God dwells.

The believer resembles the Church in the following ways:

1. The Church is anointed with myron and consecrated to the Lord; likewise, the believer is anointed with myron by the same holy anointing.

2. From the Church rise praises and prayers; likewise, from the believer rise praises and prayers.

3. In the Church, the sacrifice is offered and incense is raised; likewise, the believer says with David the Prophet:

   “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)

The Church in Terms of Time
The Church is divided into the struggling Church on earth and the triumphant Church in heaven, which has already fought the good fight and finally received the crown of righteousness.

We may also speak of the Church of the Old Covenant and the Church of the New Covenant. Some also divide it differently according to Law and Grace.

The Church Between Law and Grace

1. The Church of Natural Law: from Adam to Moses.

2. The Church of Written Law: from Moses to Christ.

3. The Church of Grace: from Christ until now.

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1. Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Seventh Year, Issue No. 2, January 9, 1976

2. For better translation support, please contact the center.