Domus Dei, Domus Divina, Domus Ecclesie

— the House of the Lord, the Divine House, the House of the Church.

(1.) The first of these, the Lord's House, was one of the earliest names of the church-building, and it is still in use. It answers to the Greek κυριακόν, which some suppose to be the origin of our word "Church." SEE DOMINICUM.

(2.) The second title, Divine House, was applied, among the pagan Romans, to the emperor's palace, and it was retained in this use by some Christian emperors. It was also applied to the Church; and from this double use some confusion has arisen in interpreting ancient writers.

(3.) The title House of the Church was applied not only to the church edilice, but also to the bishop's house, after the third century. — Bingham, Orig. Ecclesiastes book 8, chapter 1.