ΕΠΙΚΛΗΣΙΣ
The term ἐπίκλησις, deeply rooted in ancient Greek religious and legal practice, denotes the act of invocation, appellation, or calling upon a higher power or authority. In Christian theology, it acquired central significance, particularly in the Epiclesis of the Holy Spirit during the Divine Liturgy, where human prayer encounters divine action. Its lexarithmos, 563, suggests a complex interplay, as 5 is associated with the pentad (man, senses) and 6 with perfection (creation), while 3 relates to the triad (spirit, divinity).
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ἐπίκλησις (a feminine noun) primarily signifies "appellation, invocation," especially directed towards gods or higher powers. It is also employed in a legal context for "calling a witness" or referring to the "appellation of a name" as a surname. The word is a compound of the preposition ἐπί ("upon, towards") and the noun κλῆσις ("calling, invitation"), which derives from the verb καλέω ("to call"). Its meaning evolves from a simple address to a more formal and sacred act.
In classical antiquity, ἐπίκλησις was an integral part of religious ceremonies, where worshippers would invoke the gods by their names, seeking their favor or intervention. An example is the invocation of Zeus or Athena before battles or significant decisions. In rhetoric, invocation was the address to the audience or the appeal to a common principle or value to strengthen an argument.
In the Septuagint translation, the word is used for the invocation of God's name. However, it attains its greatest theological weight in the Christian tradition, where it primarily refers to the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The "Epiclesis" constitutes a central point of the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer) in the Divine Liturgy, during which the priest asks God to send the Holy Spirit to transform the precious gifts (bread and wine) into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Therefore, ἐπίκλησις is not merely a call, but a sacred act that connects the human world with the divine, a bridge between the visible and the invisible, the material and the spiritual. It is the moment where human faith and divine grace meet, bringing about transformation and sanctification.
Etymology
From the same root καλ- / κλη- derive many significant words in the Greek language. The verb καλέω serves as the base, from which nouns such as κλῆσις (invitation, calling), κλητήρ (one who calls), and compounds like ἐκκλησία (assembly, church, literally "those called out"), παράκλητος (advocate, comforter), and πρόσκλησις (formal invitation) are formed. These words retain the basic meaning of calling, inviting, or addressing, with the preposition adding a specific nuance in each case.
Main Meanings
- Appellation, Calling — The act of addressing someone or something by name.
- Invocation of Gods/Powers — The sacred act of invoking a deity or higher power for assistance or intervention. (Plato, "Laws" 712a)
- Calling a Witness — The summoning of a person to testify as a witness in a legal proceeding. (Demosthenes, "On the Crown" 18.12)
- Surname, Epithet — The designation or title attributed to someone or something. (Thucydides, "History of the Peloponnesian War" 1.10)
- Epiclesis of the Holy Spirit — In Christian theology, the prayer for the descent of the Holy Spirit, especially in the Eucharist.
- Appeal, Supplication — A fervent plea or request directed towards someone.
- Naming, Designation — The use of a name to indicate quality or origin.
Word Family
"καλ- / κλη-" (root of the verb καλέω, meaning "to call, to summon")
The root καλ- / κλη- forms the basis of an extensive family of words in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of "calling," "invitation," or "appellation." From the simple calling of a person to the formal convocation of an assembly or the sacred invocation of a deity, this root expresses the act of vocal or symbolic summoning. The alternation between καλ- and κλη- (as in καλέω and κλῆσις) is a typical phenomenon in Greek morphology, often indicating different grammatical categories or nuances of the same basic concept.
Philosophical Journey
The word ἐπίκλησις has a rich history of usage, from classical antiquity to Christian theology, reflecting the evolution of the concept of calling and invocation.
In Ancient Texts
The significance of invocation is highlighted through ancient texts and liturgical writings.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΕΠΙΚΛΗΣΙΣ is 563, from the sum of its letter values:
563 is a prime number — indivisible, a quality the Pythagoreans considered the mark of pure essence.
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΕΠΙΚΛΗΣΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 563 | Prime number |
| Decade Numerology | 5 | 5+6+3=14 → 1+4=5 — Pentad, the number of man and the senses, suggesting the human approach to the divine. |
| Letter Count | 9 | 9 letters — Ennead, the number of completion and perfection, as well as three triads (3x3). |
| Cumulative | 3/60/500 | Units 3 · Tens 60 · Hundreds 500 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | E-P-I-K-L-H-S-I-S | Epiclesis: Evoking Powerful Invocation, Kindling Liturgical Harmony, Sanctifying Inner Spirit. |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 3S · 2M | 4 vowels (E, I, H, I), 3 semivowels (L, S, S), 2 mutes (P, K). The balance of vowels and consonants reflects the harmony and power of the invocation. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Sun ☉ / Pisces ♓ | 563 mod 7 = 3 · 563 mod 12 = 11 |
Isopsephic Words (563)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon sharing the same lexarithmos (563) as "ἐπίκλησις," but stemming from different roots, offer an intriguing glimpse into numerical coincidence and potential conceptual connections.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 55 words with lexarithmos 563. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Plato — Laws.
- Demosthenes — On the Crown.
- Thucydides — History of the Peloponnesian War.
- Polybius — Histories.
- Septuagint — The Greek Old Testament.
- Nestle-Aland — Novum Testamentum Graece.
- Gribomont, J. — Euchologion: Liturgie de S. Jean Chrysostome. Sources Chrétiennes 162. Paris: Cerf, 1970.