Greek Words in Church Latin

Level 3

A Greek word used in the church becomes a regular Latin noun or verb.

How It Works

LatinGreek meaningChurch meaning
ecclesiaassemblychurch
episcopusoverseerbishop
evangeliumgood newsgospel
angelusmessengerangel
apostolusone who is sentapostle
baptizareto dipto baptize
monachusliving alonemonk
psalmussong with a harppsalm

Because the words have Latin endings, you decline and conjugate them like any other: ecclesiae (of the church), episcopo (to the bishop), apostolos (the apostles) and baptizat (he baptizes).

English kept most of these words, so they are easy to recognize. Some spellings keep Greek letters: hymnus has a y, and Christus has ch.

Examples (5)

  1. Episcopus in ecclesia est.

    The bishop is in the church.

    Episcopus and ecclesia are both Greek words with Latin endings.

  2. Angelus ad Mariam venit.

    The angel comes to Mary.

    Angelus is a second declension noun.

  3. Apostoli evangelium praedicant.

    The apostles preach the gospel.

    Evangelium is a second declension neuter noun.

  4. Sacerdos infantes baptizat.

    The priest baptizes the children.

    Baptizat is a first conjugation verb of Greek origin.

  5. Monachi psalmos cantant.

    The monks sing psalms.

    Psalmos is the accusative plural of psalmus.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Greek Words in Church LatinLevel 3

Learn This First

Greek words in Church Latin take Latin endings, so the noun families and the first conjugation come first.

Words in This Pattern

ecclesiaepiscopusevangeliumangelusbaptizoapostolusmonachuspsalmus