epiclesis
Sign in to saveThe epiclesis (also spelled epiklesis; from , ) refers to the invocation of one or several gods. In ancient Greek religion, the epiclesis was the epithet used as the surname given to a deity in religious contexts. The term was borrowed into the Christian tradition, where it designates the part of the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer) by which the priest invokes the Holy Spirit (or the power of God's blessing) upon the Eucharistic bread and wine in some Christian churches. In most Eastern Christian traditions, the Epiclesis comes after the Anamnesis (remembrance of Jesus' words and deeds); in the W
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Article
20 sectionsContents
- Ancient Greece
- Christianity
- Eastern churches
- Liturgy of St. Cyril (and Alexandrian-type Anaphoras)
- Liturgy of Addai and Mari
- Liturgy of St. James
- Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
- Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
- Roman Rite
- Implicit epicleses
- Explicit epicleses
- Protestantism
- Lutheranism and Anglicanism
- Methodism
- Reformed (Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregationalist)
- Use in other sacraments
- References
- Bibliography
- Further reading
- External links
The epiclesis (also spelled epiklesis; from , ) refers to the invocation of one or several gods. In ancient Greek religion, the epiclesis was the epithet used as the surname given to a deity in religious contexts. The term was borrowed into the Christian tradition, where it designates the part of the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer) by which the priest invokes the Holy Spirit (or the power of God's blessing) upon the Eucharistic bread and wine in some Christian churches. In most Eastern Christian traditions, the Epiclesis comes after the Anamnesis (remembrance of Jesus' words and deeds); in the Western Rite it usually precedes. In the historic practice of the Western Christian Churches, the consecration is effected at the Words of Institution, though during the rise of the Liturgical Movement, many denominations introduced an explicit epiclesis in their liturgies.
== Ancient Greece == The Ancient Greek term epíklēsis (ἐπίκλησις; literally 'calling upon') can be translated as 'surname, additional name', or as 'invocation, appeal'.