View source for Churches Militant, Penitent, and Triumphant

{{Short description|Traditional divisions of the Christian Church}}
{{about|traditional divisions of the Christian Church|the Catholic organization|Church Militant (website)|the British women's campaign|League of the Church Militant}}
{{Redirect|Ecclesia militans|the Russian icon|Blessed Be the Host of the King of Heaven}}
[[Image:Way-of-salvation-church-militant-triumphant-andrea-di-bonaiuto-1365.jpg|thumb|320px|''The Church Militant and the Church Triumphant'', fresco by [[Andrea di Bonaiuto da Firenze|Andrea da Firenze]] in [[Basilica of Santa Maria Novella|Santa Maria Novella]], c. 1365]]
In some strains of [[Christian theology]], the [[Christian Church]] may be divided into:
*the '''Church Militant''' ({{Langx|la|Ecclesia militans}}), also called the '''Church Pilgrim''', which consists of [[Christians]] on Earth who struggle as [[Miles Christianus|soldiers of Christ]] against [[Christian views on sin|sin]], the [[Devil in Christianity|devil]], and "the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places";<ref>{{Bibleref2|Ephesians|6:12|DRA}}</ref> 
*the '''Church Penitent''' ({{Langx|la|Ecclesia poenitens|links=no}}), also called the '''Church Suffering''' ({{Langx|la|Ecclesia dolens|links=no}}) or the '''Church Expectant''' ({{Langx|la|Ecclesia expectans|links=no}}), which in the theology of certain churches, especially [[Catholic theology|that of the Catholic Church]], consists of those Christians currently in [[Purgatory]]; and
*the '''Church Triumphant''' ({{Langx|la|Ecclesia triumphans|links=no}}), which consists of those who have the [[beatific vision]] and are in [[Heaven (Christianity)|Heaven]].

Within [[Catholic ecclesiology]] these divisions are known as the "three states of the Church." The actual language used in the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' states that "''The three states of the Church…'' at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating 'in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is'."<ref name="ccc954">{{Cite CCC|2.1|954}}</ref>

In [[Protestant]] theology, which rejects the doctrine of Purgatory,<ref>Chia, R. and Katongole, E. (2008) "Eschatology", Global Dictionary of Theology: A Resource for the Worldwide Church. Edited by W.A. Dyrness and V.-M. Kärkkäinen. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press. "Protestant theologians, following Luther, reject the doctrine of purgatory."</ref> the Churches Militant and Triumphant are together known as the '''two states of the Church'''. These divisions are often discussed in the context of the doctrine of the [[communion of saints]]; although Christians may be physically separated from each other by the barrier of [[death]], they nonetheless remain united to each other in one Church, and support each other in [[Christian prayer|prayer]].

== Etymology ==
{{More citations needed section
| date = June 2016
}}

=== Militant ===
The term ''militant'' ({{Langx|la|militans}}) has a primary meaning of "being a [[soldier]], performing [[military service]]",<ref>{{Cite dictionary|title=mīlĭto|date=1879|encyclopedia=[[A Latin Dictionary]]|publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]|location=[[Oxford]]|url=http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#milito|access-date=1 July 2016|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Charlton T.|editor-last2=Short|editor-first2=Charles|editor-link=Charlton Thomas Lewis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904071133/http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#milito|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> but it acquired a secondary meaning of "serving, performing service, laboring",<ref>{{Cite dictionary|title=mīlitō|date=1890|encyclopedia=An Elementary Latin Dictionary|publisher=[[American Book Company (1890)|American Book Company]]|location=[[New York City|New York]], [[Cincinnati]], and [[Chicago]]|url=http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#milito|access-date=1 July 2016|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Charlton T.|editor-link=Charlton Thomas Lewis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904071133/http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#milito|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> with its root ''{{lang|la|milito}}'' coming to mean "soldier of Christ or God" in [[Medieval Latin]] usage.<ref>{{Cite dictionary|title=ilito|date=1975–2013|encyclopedia=The Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources|publisher=[[British Academy]]|location=[[London]]|url=http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#milito|access-date=1 July 2016|editor-last=Latham|editor-first=R. E.|editor-last2=Howlett|editor-first2=D. R.|editor-last3=Ashdowne|editor-first3=R. K.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904071133/http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#milito|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The members of the Church Militant, i.e. those Christians on earth, are engaged in [[spiritual warfare]] against sin {{citation needed span |date=April 2020 |text=in order that, when they die, they might enter [[Heaven (Christianity)|heaven]] and join the Church Triumphant.}} Failing that directly, those who believe in the existence of Purgatory hope to die in a [[State (theology)|state of grace]] and join the Church Penitent, to purify themselves of their imperfections and, ultimately, join the Church Triumphant.

=== Penitent ===
The term ''penitent'' ({{Langx|la|links=no|poenitens}} or ''paenitens'') means "repenting, being sorry".<ref>{{Cite dictionary|title=paenĭtĕo|date=1879|encyclopedia=[[A Latin Dictionary]]|publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]|location=[[Oxford]]|url=http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#paeniteo|access-date=1 July 2016|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Charlton T.|editor-last2=Short|editor-first2=Charles|editor-link=Charlton Thomas Lewis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904071133/http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#paeniteo|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Those who constitute the Church Penitent are in Purgatory to satisfy whatever portion of the temporal punishment due for their sins was not satisfied before death. They are in a process of purging their imperfections before entering heaven. It is held that all members of the Church Penitent will eventually join the Church Triumphant.

The alternate term ''suffering'' ({{Langx|la|links=no|dolens|lit=grieving}})<ref>{{Cite dictionary|title=dŏlĕo|date=1879|encyclopedia=[[A Latin Dictionary]]|publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]|location=[[Oxford]]|url=http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#doleo|access-date=1 July 2016|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Charlton T.|editor-last2=Short|editor-first2=Charles|editor-link=Charlton Thomas Lewis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904071133/http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#doleo|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> emphasizes the nature of souls' experience in Purgatory; they are [[Redemptive suffering|suffering]] the temporal consequences of their sins to redemptive effect. The other alternative, ''expectant'' ({{Langx|la|expectans}} or ''exspectans''), emphasizes that the souls of Purgatory are awaiting expectantly the [[beatific vision]] of heaven.

=== Triumphant ===
The term ''triumphant'' ({{Langx|la|triumphans|links=no}}) means "exulting, rejoicing exceedingly", taken from a figurative usage of ''{{lang|la|triumphus}}'', originally designating the [[Roman triumph]].<ref>{{Cite dictionary|title=trĭumpho|date=1879|encyclopedia=[[A Latin Dictionary]]|publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]|location=[[Oxford]]|url=http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#triumpho|access-date=1 July 2016|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Charlton T.|editor-last2=Short|editor-first2=Charles|editor-link=Charlton Thomas Lewis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904071133/http://logeion.uchicago.edu/index.html#triumpho|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Those who constitute the Church Triumphant rejoice eternally in the [[glory of God]], to whom they are united in the [[beatific vision]].

== Usage in different Christian Churches ==

=== Catholic Church ===
{{Main article|Catholic ecclesiology}}
The [[Catholic Church]] commemorates the Church Triumphant and the Church Penitent in its [[Catholic liturgy|liturgy]] on two consecutive days: [[All Saints' Day]] on November 1 (the Church Triumphant) and [[All Souls' Day]] on November 2 (the Church Penitent).

These terms are not used in the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'', an authoritative summary of the teaching of the Catholic Church published in 1994. However, the teaching these terms represent is precisely restated, quoting ''[[Lumen gentium]]'': <blockquote>''The three states of the Church''. "When the Lord comes in glory, and all his angels with him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to him. But at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating 'in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is'."<ref name="ccc954"/></blockquote>

[[File:Blessed Be the Host of the King of Heaven… - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|400px|''[[Ecclesia militans (icon)|Ecclesia militans]]'', one of the largest icons in existence]]

=== Anglican Communion ===
Anglicans believe that "…the Church on earth is united with the Church in heaven, ('sanctorum communio').  They speak of the 'Church Militant here on earth' and the Church triumphant in heaven.  They worship God together with 'angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Alvis|first1=Gary|title=The Anglican Understanding of the Church: An Introduction|date=2000|publisher=SPCK Publishing|location=London|isbn=978-0-281-06815-9|page=Chapter 7|edition=Kindle}}</ref>

=== Lutheran Church ===
Eric Lund, a [[Lutheran World Federation|Lutheran]] professor, described an analogy relating the Old Testament to the New Testament: "God ordered two altars to be placed in the tabernacle. Fire was transferred from the outer one to the inner one. God also assembled a twofold church: the church militant and the church triumphant. The fire of love will someday be transferred from the church militant to the church triumphant."<ref name="Lund2011">{{cite book|last=Lund|first=Eric|title=Seventeenth-Century Lutheran Meditations and Hymns|year=2011|publisher=Paulist Press|language=en |isbn=9780809147298|page=137}}</ref> As such, within [[Lutheranism]], "That is called the Church ''militant'', which in this life is still fighting, under the banner of Christ, against Satan, the world, and the flesh."<ref name="Schmid1876">{{cite book|last=Schmid|first=Heinrich|title=The Doctrinal Theology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church|year=1876|publisher=Lutheran Publication Society|language=en |page=603}}</ref> 

Likewise, "That is called the Church ''triumphant'', which, being transferred to heavenly rest, and relieved from the labor of fighting, and the danger of being overcome in heaven against all contending powers."<ref name="Schmid1876"/> Heinrich Schmid, a Lutheran theologian explains that the Church Militant derives her name from [[spiritual warfare]], citing {{bibleref|Ephesians|6:10|NRSV}}, {{bibleref|1 Peter|5:8–9|NRSV}}, {{bibleref|1 John|5:4|NRSV}}, {{bibleref|Romans|7:14|NRSV}}, and {{bibleref|Galatians|5:17|NRSV}}; he further states that the Church Triumphant derives her name from spiritual victory, citing {{bibleref|Revelation|2:10|NRSV}}, {{bibleref|Revelation|4:4|NRSV}}, and {{bibleref|Revelation|7:9|NRSV}}.<ref name="Schmid1876"/>

=== Methodist Churches ===
The [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]], a part of the [[World Methodist Council]], defines the Church Militant as "engaged in constant warfare against the world, the flesh and the [[Devil in Christianity|devil]], and in that respect is distinguished from the Church Triumphant."<ref name=Methodism>{{cite book|author=Bishop H.M. Turner, D.D., LL.D.|title=The Genius and Theory of Methodist Polity, or the Machinery of Methodism|url=http://docsouth.unc.edu/church/turnerpolity/turner.html|quote=13 Q. What do the visible and invisible church constitute? A. The church militant, or military church, which is engaged in 'onstant warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil, and in that respect is distinguished from the 'church triumphant.' 14 Q. What do you mean by 'Church Triumphant?" A. The church triumphant is in heaven, and consists of those who have washed their robes and made them immaculate and pure 'in the blood of the Lamb.' 15 Q. The church militant then is upon earth? A. Yes; and comprehends all Christian denominations; viz., Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians and many others. 16 Q. Do you mean to say that it takes all the church denominations of the world to constitute the 'church militant?' A. I do. For all these so-called churches are only so many religious societies forming the 'Church militant,' which are recognized by Christ in the aggregate.|publisher=[[African Methodist Episcopal Church]]|year=1885|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> It defines the Church Militant as inclusive of all [[Christian denominations]], among them [[Methodism]], [[Presbyterianism]], [[Baptists|Baptist churches]], [[Congregational church]]es, [[Anglicanism]], among many others.<ref name="Methodism"/> In the same fashion, it defines the Church Triumphant as existing "in heaven, and consist[ing] of those who have washed their robes and made them immaculate and pure in the [[Blood of Christ|blood of the Lamb]]."<ref name="Methodism"/>

In Methodist theology, "the communion expressed at the Eucharist is not only within the Church Militant, but is between the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant."<ref name="Billington2014">{{cite book|last=Billington|first=Raymond|title=The Liturgical Movement and Methodism|date=23 September 2014|publisher=Wipf & Stock Publishers|language=en|isbn=9781498205016|page=74}}</ref>

=== Seventh-day Adventist Church ===
The [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] defines the terms in the following ways, "While in this world the church is a militant church, daily engaged in the battles of its Lord, and in warfare against satanic agencies. Its members are in constant conflict with the world, the flesh, and the powers of evil (Rom. 7:15–23; Gal. 5:17; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; 1 John 5:4; cf. 1 John 4:4). If this side of the Lord's return the church is the militant church, the church of the New Jerusalem is the triumphant church. It is made up of faithful disciples and conquerors in this worldly battle. They have exchanged the sword for a palm of victory (Rev 7:9) and the cross for a crown (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). The battle is over, the mission accomplished (Matt. 25:21, 23) and the redeemed, invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9), eat and drink at Christ's table in His kingdom (Luke 22:28–30) and reign with Him for ever and ever (Rev 22:5)."<ref name="SDA">Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 2000), pp. 565–566.</ref> Thus, the Seventh-day Adventist view is that the church is the Church Militant until the general resurrection at the end of the present age. The church becomes the Church Triumphant only after the second coming of Christ.

==Secular uses==
The '''two states''' account of the church was adapted by [[Anatoly Lunacharsky]] to distinguish between a socialistic culture of the future (''Ecclesia triumphans'') and proletarian culture of the proletariat struggling in the present against capitalism (''Ecclesia militans''). This theoretical approach was used in the development of [[Proletkult]].<ref name="NAR">{{cite journal|last1=Pasvolsky|first1=Leo|title=Proletkult:Its Prentions and Fallacies|journal=North American Review|date=1921|volume=CCXIII|issue=April 1921|pages=539–550|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008970660;view=1up;seq=549|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802062047/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008970660;view=1up;seq=549|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 2, 2022|access-date=9 April 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[Baptism by fire]]
* ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]''
* [[Christian mysticism]]
** [[Catholic spirituality]]
** [[Sacred Heart]]
** [[Immaculate Heart of Mary]]
** [[Marian devotions]]
** [[Eastern Orthodox theology]]
** [[Pietism]]
* [[Ecclesiology]]
** [[Catholic ecclesiology]]
** [[Organization of the Eastern Orthodox Church]]
** [[Protestant ecclesiology]]
* [[Christian martyr]]
* ''[[Miles Christianus]]''
* [[Persecution of Christians]]
* [[Saint]]
* [[Spiritual warfare]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*[http://www.ewtn.com/library/THEOLOGY/SPIRCATH.HTM#07 ''The Spirit of Catholicism'', ch. 7-8 ("The Communion of Saints")] by [[Karl Adam (theologian)|Karl Adam]]
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04171a.htm Communion of Saints] - article from the [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140906031754/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html ''Lumen gentium'' (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church), n. 49]
*[https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/catholic-church-is-the-mystical-body-of-christ-89 The Catholic Church Is The Mystical Body Of Christ] by FR. William G. Most

==External links==

'''Images'''
* "''[http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/a/andrea/firenze/triumph.html The Church Militant and Triumphant]''". 1365–68. [[Fresco]] by [[Andrea da Firenze]]. Cappella Spagnuolo, [[Santa Maria Novella]], [[Florence]].
* "''[http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/raphael/4stanze/1segnatu/2/disputa1.html Disputation of the Holy Sacrament (La Disputa)]''". 1510–11. [[Fresco]] by [[Raffaello Sanzio]]. [[Stanza della Segnatura]], [[Palazzi Pontifici]], [[Vatican City|Vatican]].
*[http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/britishlibrary/controller/subjectidsearch?id=10618&&idx=1&startid=10081 Image from ''The Desert of Religion, and other poems and religious pieces'']{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, depicting the Church Suffering (bottom) being lifted up to heaven and the Church Triumphant (top) through the prayer of the Church Militant (middle) {{dead link|date=December 2014}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003601/http://biblia.com/images/purgatory-mass.gif The Church Triumphant (top) and the Church Militant (middle) praying for the Church Suffering (bottom)] 
* [http://uvoc.org/All_Saints/All_Saints_Pic.jpg The Church Triumphant (top) and the Church Militant (bottom) praying for the Church Suffering (bottom left and right)] by René de Cramer

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