Epicleses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A liturgical invocation or prayer in which the Holy Spirit is called upon to sanctify and make sacred specific elements during a ceremony
2. Referring to the act within Christian worship that seeks divine grace for consecrating offerings
3. This term denotes the theological practice of invoking God's spirit to transform ordinary items into holy ones during religious rites

Etymology: The term originates in the context of Christian liturgy, particularly within the rites of the Eucharist. It refers to the moment in the consecration prayer when the priest invokes the Holy Spirit to sanctify the bread and wine. This invocation is meant to transform these elements into the body and blood of Christ, making it a critical part of the ritual. Tracing the word back, it comes from the Greek "ἐπίκλησις" (epíklēsis), which means "invocation" or "calling upon." This Greek term itself is formed from the prefix "ἐπι-" (epi-), meaning "upon" or "over," and the root "κλῆσις" (klēsis), meaning "calling" or "summons." So literally, it describes a calling upon or an appeal directed towards someone, in this case, the Holy Spirit. The usage of this word in English dates back to the early days of theological scholarship and translation of liturgical texts, likely appearing in the 17th or 18th century as Christian worship practices were studied and codified in English-speaking contexts. It remained primarily a technical term within ecclesiastical language, preserving its specialized meaning tied to sacramental theology. Its journey from ancient Greek into English is a testament to the enduring influence of early Christian liturgical traditions and the precision with which language captures ritual acts. The word encapsulates not just the act of calling upon but also the sacred power ascribed to that invocation in the transformation central to the Eucharistic celebration.

Synonyms: invocations, supplications, prayers, calls, pleas