A religious organization that is so integrated into the dominant culture that it claims as its membership all members of a society.
The Latin form of the Greek word "ekklesia," which meant "assembly. It was later translated to refer specifically to the gathering of Christians.
Greek translation of the Hebrew word Miqra, falsely translated in the English version of the Greek Scriptures (the so-called “New Testament”) as “church” [see footnote
the Assembly in Spartan government, comprised of all male citizens over age 30 (or possibly 20). Also sometimes known as the Apella.
Assembly of Christians; members of a church or a church building;
an assembly of all citizens that serves as the other legislative body with the boule. (p. 68)
An ecclesia is one of the four members of the most common sociological typology of religious groups -- the other three are the denomination, the sect and the cult. An ecclesia is a religious group which is strongly integrated with the dominant social and political culture. Often ecclesias are state churches, though they need not be: a state church by definition has official legal recognition of its role in the society, while an ecclesia might not.
The ecclesia or ekklesia (Greek ) was the principal assembly of the democracy of ancient Athens. It was the popular assembly, opened to all male citizens over the age of 18 by Solon in 594 BC meaning that all classes of citizens in Athens were able to participate, even the thetes. The ecclesia opened the doors for all citizens, regardless of class, to nominate and vote for magistrates - indirectly voting for the Areopagus - have the final decision on legislation, war and peace, and have the right to call magistrates to account after their year of office.
Ecclesia (or Ekklesia) in Christian theology denotes both a particular body of faithful people, and the whole body of the faithful. Latin ecclesia, from Greek ekklesia had an original meaning of "assembly, congregation, council", literally "convocation", see Ecclesia (ancient Athens).
