EPISCHESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Epischesis is a term with historical and religious significance, primarily used in the context of Christian liturgy. The word is believed to have originated from the Greek language, where it means "invocation" or "calling upon," specifically in reference to divine intervention or blessing.
In Christian liturgical traditions, epischesis refers to a specific moment within the Eucharistic prayer, where the priest invokes the Holy Spirit to descend upon the bread and wine, transforming them into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This ritual action is seen as a central moment of consecration, where the ordinary elements of bread and wine are spiritually transfigured.
The concept of epischesis is closely related to the theological belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It emphasizes the idea that the transformation of the bread and wine is not solely a symbolic act, but a profound sacramental act through the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
Beyond the liturgical context, epischesis can also refer more broadly to any invocation or calling upon a divine power. In this sense, it can be found in various theological writings and religious practices, especially within the Orthodox Christian tradition.
In summary, epischesis refers to the act of calling upon the Holy Spirit to consecrate and transform the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ during the Eucharistic prayer. It highlights the belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament and underscores the importance of divine intervention in the process of spiritual transfiguration.
Common Misspellings for EPISCHESIS
- wpischesis
- spischesis
- dpischesis
- rpischesis
- 4pischesis
- 3pischesis
- eoischesis
- elischesis
- e-ischesis
- e0ischesis
- epuschesis
- epjschesis
- epkschesis
- eposchesis
- ep9schesis
- ep8schesis
- epiachesis
- epizchesis
- epixchesis
- epidchesis
Etymology of EPISCHESIS
The word "Epischesis" is derived from the Greek word "ἐπίσχεσις" (epíschēsis), which means "invocation, prayer, or appeal". It is composed of two Greek components: "ἐπί" (epí), meaning "upon" or "at", and "σχεσις" (schēsis), which translates to "bringing, extension, or holding back". In the context of Christian liturgy, specifically in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions, the term Epischesis refers to a prayer or invocation in the Eucharistic liturgy asking for the Holy Spirit to descend upon the bread and wine, transforming them into the body and blood of Christ.
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