Eastern Church.--The collective term by which is designated the Churches which formerly made part of the Eastern Empire of Rome. The Greek, Russian, Coptic, Armenian, Syrian and other eastern churches are those usually included in this Communion. But in strictness, the term "Eastern" or "Oriental Church" is applied only to the Graeco-Russian Church in communion with the Patriarch of {94} Constantinople. The great Schism whereby the communion between the East and the West was broken took place, A.D. 1054. Eastward Position.--(See EAST, TURNING TO.) Ecclesiastical Year.--(See CHRISTIAN YEAR.) Ecumenical.--From a Greek word meaning general or universal. The name is given to certain councils composed of Bishops and other ecclesiastics from the whole Church. A Council to be ecumenical must meet three requirements: (1) It must be called of the whole Catholic Church; (2) it must be left perfectly free, and (3) it must be one whose decrees and definitions were subsequently accepted by the whole Church. It is commonly believed that there have been only six great Councils of the Church that satisfy these conditions. For a list of them see COUNCIL. Elder.--This is the English translation of the Greek word _Presbuteros_, meaning Presbyter or Priest, the title of one admitted to the second Order of the Ministry. It has been pointed out that "in Scriptural usage and in Church History such a person as a _lay_ Elder is an impossible person; the words contradict each other. The first hint of such an office was given by Calvin." (See PRIEST.) Elements.--The bread and the wine in the Holy Communion, and the water in Holy Baptism are so-called. Ember Days.--The Ember Days are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after the First Sunday in Lent; Whitsun Day; the 14th of September and the 13th day of December, and are regarded as the Fasts {95} of the four seasons. The time of their observance was definitely fixed by the Council of Placentia, A.D. 1095. Their origin is ascribed to Apostolic tradition. The derivation of the name Ember is uncertain. Some trace it to the Saxon word _ymbren_, meaning a "circuit," because they are periodically observed. Others derive it from the Anglo-Saxon word _aemyrian_, meaning "ashes," because these days are appointed to be kept as fasts, and ashes, as a sign of humiliation and mourning, were constantly associated with fasting. The Ember Days are appointed to be observed at the four seasons named because the Sundays following are the set times for Ordination to the Sacred Ministry. For this reason one of the two prayers, entitled, "For those who are to be admitted into Holy Orders," is to be read daily throughout the week. Emblems.--Symbols and emblems of various kinds take a foremost place in sacred Art. Some of these are here given: