Identity Palimpsest – Ekklēsia: Linguistic Foundation and Creator of Civilizations

ABSTRACT: The term ekklēsia (ἐκκλησία), over time, has existed as an identity palimpsest in the pleiade of human civilizations, its dynamic consisting in selecting people from a whole, from the totality of a community, in order to conclude a legitimized convocation in an institution. Thus, we first identify the term in Athenian democracy, ekklēsia mirroring the general legislative assembly of the people in an ekklesiastirion, from which the activity of decisions founded by the casting of votes, ekloghes (εκλογες) transpires. With the establishment of Christianity, the concept is taken over in its substance and form, this time defining religious affiliation, later being linguistically converted to the culture and mentality of peoples who share the principles and values of Christ's teaching. The term underwent a slight transformation in Latin, taking the form of ecclesia, and the concept of ecclesiology, also built on Greek linguistic foundations, later developed as a branch of theology dealing holistically with both the principles of Christianity and the Gothic architecture of churches. This study revolves around linguistic considerations with the creative potential of human civilizations. The ancient Greek immaterial heritage is always present and certainly will be reinterpreted in the rendering of values to the world. KEYWORDS: Ekklēsia - democratic legislative assembly, ekklesiasterion, ekloghes (εκλογες) suffrage, Ecclesia - Christian Church, ecclesiology