All of the New Testament books and several of the Old Testament books were written in Greek. Greek is still used in the Roman Catholic Liturgy when the Mass is “said in Latin”, because the Kyrie is in Greek.
I’ve learned just enough Greek to be able to read words in Greek. Definitely not fluent in the language (even in written form). I have always been glad that I spent that much time in Greek because it opens up new worlds in church symbolism, notations in the Bible and theology books, English words (and their limitations) and in being able to read some inscriptions in museums.
Here are a few examples:
These are some of the Greek Words for Love (transliterated into our alphabet for simplicity’s sake):
eros – romantic love
philia – deep friendship
agape – selfless love
philautia – love of self
pragma – long-standing love
storge – familial love
In a language and culture where each person seems to choose their own one definition of love, I find it helpful to be aware of these different types and aspects of love.
Frequently used Greek Words in the Roman Catholic Catholic Church:
anamnesis – A particular kind of remembering that makes the past actually present during the Mass.
Christe Eleison – Christ Have Mercy
epiclesis – Translated “call down upon”, we use this term for the gesture the priest makes over the bread and wine when asking the Holy Spirit to come down upon the gifts and make them holy.
Eucharistia – Our word for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The original Greek translates “Thanksgiving”.
kerygma – The most essential truths of the Good News about Jesus to proclaim to others with a sense of planting a seed.
Kyrie Eleison – Lord Have Mercy
mystagogy – A part of catechesis that reflects back on a sacrament after it has been received.
Theotokos – “God-bearer” – a title of Mary as the Mother of God, not just the human nature of Jesus.
Small Catholic 