German word

ökumenisch

Pronunciation

IPA/øːkuˈmeːnɪʃ/

Meaning

  • adjectiveecumenical

Example

Viele Gemeinden nehmen an ökumenischen Gottesdiensten teil.

Many congregations take part in ecumenical services.

Illustration for ökumenisch (ecumenical)

More examples

Der ökumenische Dialog förderte gegenseitiges Verständnis.

The ecumenical dialogue promoted mutual understanding.

Core concept

Christians from separate confessions joining in one service while keeping their distinct traditions.

Common phrases

  • ökumenischer Dialog

    ecumenical dialogue

  • ökumenische Zusammenarbeit

    ecumenical cooperation

  • ökumenische Veranstaltung

    ecumenical event

Similar words

interkonfessionell: Shared by or involving different Christian confessions.
interreligiös: Involving contact or cooperation between different religions.
religiös: Connected with religious belief, practice, or institutions.

Definition in German

Eine Haltung oder Praxis, die auf Verständigung und Zusammenarbeit zwischen unterschiedlichen christlichen Konfessionen zielt.

Word origin

Greek oikoumene developed into the ecclesiastical Latin adjective oecumenicus, which German adopted as ökumenisch.

Usage tips

  • The common phrase ökumenischer Gottesdienst refers to a service involving different Christian confessions, rather than simply a large church service.

Other meanings

  • interchurchadjective

Opposites

  • konfessionelldenominationaladjective
  • sektiererischsectarianadjective

Related words

  • Ökumeneecumenismnoun
  • Ökumenismusecumenismnoun
  • Ökumenikerecumenistnoun

Word lists with this word