The English term “church,” the Russian “tserkvie,” the German “kirche,” the Dutch “kerke,” and other similar names, ultimately derive from the Greek word “kyriakon,” which means, “something belonging to the Lord.” The word was originally applied to the church building (i.e. the “Lord’s House”), but soon became synonymous with both, the people and the action of the people (e.g. I’m going to church… Church begins at 10:00 a.m.… I’m helping our church cook a meal for the homeless…).
The Latin name “ecclesia” and its various derivations in other languages, although also applied to the building’s structure, is actually a Greek word meaning, “an assembly” – as in a gathered unit or body of citizens – with the distinct connotation of being self-governing or self-ruling. Hence, in Christians terms, the Ecclesia is the “People of God.”
The English word temple (“xhram” in Russian), from the Latin term templum which, derived from the Greek word temenous, is a far more appropriate term to use when referring to a church structure. Therefore, instead of saying, “The church gathered in the church for church,” it’s much better to say “The church gathered in the temple for services.”
