← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
The Latin word currus (4th declension masculine) means “chariot,” “car,” or “vehicle”—specifically a wheeled conveyance for persons. Derived from the verb curro (”I run”), it denotes “that which runs.” In Ecclesiastical Latin, currus carries profound theological significance, appearing throughout the Vulgate Bible and patristic writings. The most celebrated usage occurs in the narrative of Elijah’s assumption into heaven aboard a currus igneus (”fiery chariot”), which Church Fathers interpreted as prefiguring Christ’s Ascension and the soul’s journey toward God.
The word also appears in the Psalms as currus Dei (”chariot of God”), signifying the angelic hosts surrounding the divine presence. The expression currus Israhel et auriga eius (”chariot of Israel and its driver”) became an honorific title for the great prophets Elijah and Elisha, recognizing them as Israel’s true defense through their prayers and prophetic power.
For the autodidact student, this lesson presents currus in authentic ecclesiastical contexts: biblical narratives, liturgical references, and theological metaphors drawn from the deep well of Catholic tradition.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “currus” mean in Ecclesiastical Latin? In Ecclesiastical Latin, currus means “chariot,” “car,” or “vehicle.” It appears prominently in Scripture, especially in the account of Elijah’s fiery chariot (4 Kings 2:11) and in Psalm 67/68, where “the chariot of God” represents the angelic multitudes.
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Currus is a 4th declension masculine noun meaning chariot/car/vehicle -
Pronounced /ˈkur.rus/ in Ecclesiastical Latin (stress on first syllable) -
Famous biblical usage: currus igneus (Elijah’s fiery chariot) -
Theological significance: divine transport, prophetic authority, angelic hosts -
Declension pattern: currus, currūs, curruī, currum, currū (singular)
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179.1a Currus chariot igneus fiery apparuit appeared in in caelo heaven
179.1b Currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot igneus /iɲ.ˈɲe.us/ fiery apparuit /ap.pa.ˈru.it/ appeared in /in/ in caelo /ˈtʃe.lo/ heaven
179.2a Propheta the-prophet in into currum chariot-ACC igneum fiery-ACC ascendit ascended
179.2b Propheta /pro.ˈfe.ta/ the-prophet in /in/ into currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC igneum /iɲ.ˈɲe.um/ fiery-ACC ascendit /a.ˈʃen.dit/ ascended
179.3a Currus chariot Dei of-God decem ten milibus thousands-ABL multiplex manifold est is
179.3b Currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot Dei /ˈde.i/ of-God decem /ˈde.tʃem/ ten milibus /ˈmi.li.bus/ thousands-ABL multiplex /ˈmul.ti.pleks/ manifold est /est/ is
179.4a Ecce behold currus chariot et and equi horses ignei fiery
179.4b Ecce /ˈet.tʃe/ behold currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot et /et/ and equi /ˈe.kwi/ horses ignei /iɲ.ˈɲe.i/ fiery
179.5a Helias Elijah per through turbinem whirlwind-ACC in into caelum heaven-ACC ascendit ascended currū by-chariot-ABL
179.5b Helias /e.ˈli.as/ Elijah per /per/ through turbinem /ˈtur.bi.nem/ whirlwind-ACC in /in/ into caelum /ˈtʃe.lum/ heaven-ACC ascendit /a.ˈʃen.dit/ ascended currū /ˈkur.ruː/ by-chariot-ABL
179.6a Pater father mi my currus chariot Israhel of-Israel et and auriga driver eius its
179.6b Pater /ˈpa.ter/ father mi /mi/ my currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot Israhel /is.ra.ˈel/ of-Israel et /et/ and auriga /au.ˈri.ɡa/ driver eius /ˈe.jus/ its
179.7a Dominus the-Lord in in curru chariot-ABL gloriae of-glory venit comes
179.7b Dominus /ˈdo.mi.nus/ the-Lord in /in/ in curru /ˈkur.ruː/ chariot-ABL gloriae /ˈɡlo.ri.e/ of-glory venit /ˈve.nit/ comes
179.8a Angeli angels sancti holy currus chariots-ACC Dei of-God ducunt lead
179.8b Angeli /ˈan.dʒe.li/ angels sancti /ˈsaŋk.ti/ holy currus /ˈkur.ruːs/ chariots-ACC Dei /ˈde.i/ of-God ducunt /ˈdu.kunt/ lead
179.9a Vidēbat was-seeing Heliseus Elisha currum chariot-ACC et and clamābat was-crying-out
179.9b Vidēbat /vi.ˈde.bat/ was-seeing Heliseus /e.li.ˈze.us/ Elisha currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC et /et/ and clamābat /kla.ˈma.bat/ was-crying-out
179.10a Equi horses ignei fiery currum chariot-ACC trahēbant were-drawing in into altum heights-ACC
179.10b Equi /ˈe.kwi/ horses ignei /iɲ.ˈɲe.i/ fiery currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC trahēbant /tra.ˈe.bant/ were-drawing in /in/ into altum /ˈal.tum/ heights-ACC
179.11a Rotae wheels currūs of-chariot flammis with-flames-ABL ardēbant were-burning
179.11b Rotae /ˈro.te/ wheels currūs /ˈkur.ruːs/ of-chariot flammis /ˈflam.mis/ with-flames-ABL ardēbant /ar.ˈde.bant/ were-burning
179.12a De from currū chariot-ABL caelesti heavenly-ABL vox voice audita heard est was
179.12b De /de/ from currū /ˈkur.ruː/ chariot-ABL caelesti /tʃe.ˈles.ti/ heavenly-ABL vox /voks/ voice audita /au.ˈdi.ta/ heard est /est/ was
179.13a Milia thousands curruum of-chariots caelum heaven-ACC implēbant were-filling
179.13b Milia /ˈmi.li.a/ thousands curruum /ˈkur.ru.um/ of-chariots caelum /ˈtʃe.lum/ heaven-ACC implēbant /im.ˈple.bant/ were-filling
179.14a In in Sina Sinai Dominus the-Lord cum with curribus chariots-ABL suis his apparuit appeared
179.14b In /in/ in Sina /ˈsi.na/ Sinai Dominus /ˈdo.mi.nus/ the-Lord cum /kum/ with curribus /ˈkur.ri.bus/ chariots-ABL suis /ˈsu.is/ his apparuit /ap.pa.ˈru.it/ appeared
179.15a Currus chariot divīnus divine prophetam prophet-ACC ad to Deum God-ACC portāvit carried
179.15b Currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot divīnus /di.ˈvi.nus/ divine prophetam /pro.ˈfe.tam/ prophet-ACC ad /ad/ to Deum /ˈde.um/ God-ACC portāvit /por.ˈta.vit/ carried
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179.1 Currus igneus apparuit in caelo. “A fiery chariot appeared in the sky.”
179.2 Propheta in currum igneum ascendit. “The prophet ascended into the fiery chariot.”
179.3 Currus Dei decem milibus multiplex est. “The chariot of God is ten thousand fold.”
179.4 Ecce currus et equi ignei! “Behold a chariot and fiery horses!”
179.5 Helias per turbinem in caelum ascendit currū. “Elijah ascended into heaven by whirlwind upon a chariot.”
179.6 Pater mi! Currus Israhel et auriga eius! “My father! The chariot of Israel and its driver!”
179.7 Dominus in curru gloriae venit. “The Lord comes in a chariot of glory.”
179.8 Angeli sancti currus Dei ducunt. “The holy angels lead the chariots of God.”
179.9 Vidēbat Heliseus currum et clamābat. “Elisha was seeing the chariot and crying out.”
179.10 Equi ignei currum trahēbant in altum. “Fiery horses were drawing the chariot into the heights.”
179.11 Rotae currūs flammis ardēbant. “The wheels of the chariot were burning with flames.”
179.12 De currū caelesti vox audita est. “A voice was heard from the heavenly chariot.”
179.13 Milia curruum caelum implēbant. “Thousands of chariots were filling heaven.”
179.14 In Sina Dominus cum curribus suis apparuit. “On Sinai the Lord appeared with his chariots.”
179.15 Currus divīnus prophetam ad Deum portāvit. “The divine chariot carried the prophet to God.”
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179.1 Currus igneus apparuit in caelo.
179.2 Propheta in currum igneum ascendit.
179.3 Currus Dei decem milibus multiplex est.
179.4 Ecce currus et equi ignei!
179.5 Helias per turbinem in caelum ascendit currū.
179.6 Pater mi! Currus Israhel et auriga eius!
179.7 Dominus in curru gloriae venit.
179.8 Angeli sancti currus Dei ducunt.
179.9 Vidēbat Heliseus currum et clamābat.
179.10 Equi ignei currum trahēbant in altum.
179.11 Rotae currūs flammis ardēbant.
179.12 De currū caelesti vox audita est.
179.13 Milia curruum caelum implēbant.
179.14 In Sina Dominus cum curribus suis apparuit.
179.15 Currus divīnus prophetam ad Deum portāvit.
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These are the grammar rules for CURRUS in Ecclesiastical Latin:
Currus is a 4th declension masculine noun. The 4th declension is characterized by the genitive singular ending -ūs (with long vowel). The nominative and genitive singular are identical in spelling (currus) but differ in vowel length: nominative has short -us /us/, genitive has long -ūs /uːs/. In ecclesiastical manuscripts, macrons often marked this distinction.
Complete Declension of CURRUS:
Singular: Nominative: currus /ˈkur.rus/ — the chariot (subject) Genitive: currūs /ˈkur.ruːs/ — of the chariot Dative: curruī /ˈkur.ru.i/ — to/for the chariot Accusative: currum /ˈkur.rum/ — the chariot (object) Ablative: currū /ˈkur.ruː/ — by/with/from the chariot Vocative: currus /ˈkur.rus/ — O chariot!
Plural: Nominative: currūs /ˈkur.ruːs/ — the chariots (subject) Genitive: curruum /ˈkur.ru.um/ — of the chariots Dative: curribus /ˈkur.ri.bus/ — to/for the chariots Accusative: currūs /ˈkur.ruːs/ — the chariots (object) Ablative: curribus /ˈkur.ri.bus/ — by/with/from the chariots
Case Usage in This Lesson:
The nominative (currus) appears as subject: “Currus apparuit” — “A chariot appeared.”
The genitive (currūs) shows possession: “Rotae currūs” — “The wheels of the chariot.” Also in the phrase “Currus Dei” where the genitive Dei modifies currus.
The accusative (currum) serves as direct object: “Vidēbat currum” — “He was seeing the chariot.” Also follows prepositions of motion: “in currum ascendit” — “he ascended into the chariot.”
The ablative (currū) expresses means or location: “currū vectus” — “carried by chariot”; “in currū” — “in the chariot”; “de currū” — “from the chariot.”
The dative (curruī) indicates the indirect object: “equos curruī iungere” — “to yoke horses to the chariot.”
Agreement with Adjectives:
As a masculine noun, currus requires masculine adjective endings: -
currus igneus (nominative singular masculine) -
currum igneum (accusative singular masculine) -
currūs ignei (nominative plural masculine) -
currū caelesti (ablative singular masculine)
Common Mistakes:
Students often confuse the nominative singular currus with the genitive singular currūs or nominative/accusative plural currūs. Context and vowel length distinguish these forms. Remember that the double rr is geminated (held longer) in ecclesiastical pronunciation.
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Biblical Significance:
The currus igneus (”fiery chariot”) of 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:11 is among the most dramatic images in Scripture. Elijah’s assumption into heaven without experiencing death made him a unique figure in salvation history. Church Fathers saw this event as a typological prefiguration of Christ’s Ascension and of the faithful soul’s ultimate glorification.
The title currus Israhel et auriga eius (”chariot of Israel and its driver”), bestowed upon both Elijah and Elisha, expresses the conviction that a true prophet provides Israel with greater protection than any military force. The prophet’s prayers and fidelity to God are Israel’s true “chariot and charioteer.”
Psalm 67/68:18 (numbered 67 in Vulgate): “Currus Dei decem milibus multiplex” — “The chariot of God is ten thousand fold.” This verse celebrates the angelic hosts surrounding God. Patristic and medieval commentators understood these “chariots” as the countless angels who minister before the divine throne and accompany the Lord’s theophanic appearances.
Liturgical Usage:
Readings from 4 Kings 2 (Elijah’s assumption) appear in the Roman Breviary and in the liturgy for the Feast of the Prophet Elijah (July 20), observed by Carmelites and Eastern Catholics. The imagery of the fiery chariot frequently appears in hymns, antiphons, and homilies concerning the saints’ passage to glory.
Theological Metaphor:
Church Fathers and spiritual writers employed the chariot metaphor to describe the soul’s journey toward God. Just as Elijah was transported by a heavenly chariot, so the virtues, divine grace, and contemplative prayer “carry” the soul upward to union with God. The currus becomes a vehicle of theosis—divinization.
Variant Forms:
Classical Latin also knew the word carrus (a four-wheeled wagon, from Gaulish), but currus specifically denoted the two-wheeled chariot used in war, racing, and ceremonial contexts. The triumph chariot (currus triumphalis) carried victorious generals. This imagery was later applied to Christ the Victor and to the saints entering heavenly glory.
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Source: 4 Regum 2:11-12 (Vulgate) — The Assumption of Elijah
F.1a Cumque and-when pergerent they-were-proceeding et and incedentes walking sermocinarentur they-were-conversing
F.1b Cumque /ˈkum.kwe/ and-when pergerent /ˈper.dʒe.rent/ they-were-proceeding et /et/ and incedentes /in.tʃe.ˈden.tes/ walking sermocinarentur /ser.mo.tʃi.na.ˈren.tur/ they-were-conversing
F.2a ecce behold currus chariot igneus fiery et and equi horses ignei fiery
F.2b ecce /ˈet.tʃe/ behold currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot igneus /iɲ.ˈɲe.us/ fiery et /et/ and equi /ˈe.kwi/ horses ignei /iɲ.ˈɲe.i/ fiery
F.3a diviserunt divided utrumque both et and ascendit ascended Helias Elijah
F.3b diviserunt /di.vi.ˈze.runt/ divided utrumque /u.ˈtrum.kwe/ both et /et/ and ascendit /a.ˈʃen.dit/ ascended Helias /e.ˈli.as/ Elijah
F.4a per through turbinem whirlwind-ACC in into caelum heaven-ACC
F.4b per /per/ through turbinem /ˈtur.bi.nem/ whirlwind-ACC in /in/ into caelum /ˈtʃe.lum/ heaven-ACC
F.5a Heliseus Elisha autem however videbat was-seeing et and clamabat was-crying-out
F.5b Heliseus /e.li.ˈze.us/ Elisha autem /ˈau.tem/ however videbat /vi.ˈde.bat/ was-seeing et /et/ and clamabat /kla.ˈma.bat/ was-crying-out
F.6a Pater father mi my Pater father mi my currus chariot Israhel of-Israel et and auriga driver eius its
F.6b Pater /ˈpa.ter/ father mi /mi/ my Pater /ˈpa.ter/ father mi /mi/ my currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot Israhel /is.ra.ˈel/ of-Israel et /et/ and auriga /au.ˈri.ɡa/ driver eius /ˈe.jus/ its
Cumque pergerent et incedentes sermocinarentur, ecce currus igneus et equi ignei diviserunt utrumque, et ascendit Helias per turbinem in caelum. Heliseus autem videbat et clamabat: Pater mi! Pater mi! Currus Israhel et auriga eius!
“And when they went on, and walking conversed together, behold a fiery chariot and fiery horses divided them both, and Elijah ascended by a whirlwind into heaven. But Elisha saw and cried out: My father! My father! The chariot of Israel and its driver!”
— 4 Regum (2 Kings) 2:11-12, Biblia Sacra Vulgata
Cumque pergerent et incedentes sermocinarentur, ecce currus igneus et equi ignei diviserunt utrumque, et ascendit Helias per turbinem in caelum. Heliseus autem videbat et clamabat: Pater mi! Pater mi! Currus Israhel et auriga eius!
pergerent — imperfect subjunctive of pergo (”to proceed”), 3rd person plural, in a temporal cum clause incedentes — present active participle of incedo (”to walk, advance”), nominative plural masculine sermocinarentur — imperfect subjunctive deponent of sermocinor (”to converse”), 3rd person plural diviserunt — perfect active indicative of divido (”to divide, separate”), 3rd person plural utrumque — accusative singular neuter/masculine of uterque (”both”), here referring to Elijah and Elisha ascendit — perfect active indicative of ascendo (”to ascend”), 3rd person singular turbinem — accusative singular of turbo, turbinis (m., 3rd declension), meaning “whirlwind” videbat — imperfect active indicative of video (”to see”), 3rd person singular clamabat — imperfect active indicative of clamo (”to cry out”), 3rd person singular auriga — nominative singular of auriga, -ae (m., 1st declension), meaning “charioteer, driver”
Note on “Currus Israhel”: This phrase became an honorific title expressing the prophet’s role as Israel’s true defense. The same words are spoken over Elisha at his death (4 Regum 13:14), indicating the title passed to him as Elijah’s spiritual heir.
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179.16a Tempore in-time-ABL illo that-ABL Helias Elijah propheta prophet magnus great erat was in in Israhel Israel
179.16b Tempore /ˈtem.po.re/ in-time-ABL illo /ˈil.lo/ that-ABL Helias /e.ˈli.as/ Elijah propheta /pro.ˈfe.ta/ prophet magnus /ˈmaɲ.ɲus/ great erat /ˈe.rat/ was in /in/ in Israhel /is.ra.ˈel/ Israel
179.17a Deus God currum chariot-ACC igneum fiery-ACC de from caelo heaven-ABL misit sent
179.17b Deus /ˈde.us/ God currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC igneum /iɲ.ˈɲe.um/ fiery-ACC de /de/ from caelo /ˈtʃe.lo/ heaven-ABL misit /ˈmi.zit/ sent
179.18a Heliseus Elisha cum with magistro master-ABL suo his-ABL ambulābat was-walking iuxta beside Iordanem Jordan-ACC
179.18b Heliseus /e.li.ˈze.us/ Elisha cum /kum/ with magistro /ma.ˈdʒis.tro/ master-ABL suo /ˈsu.o/ his-ABL ambulābat /am.bu.ˈla.bat/ was-walking iuxta /ˈjuks.ta/ beside Iordanem /jor.ˈda.nem/ Jordan-ACC
179.19a Subito suddenly currus chariot igneus fiery inter between eos them-ACC apparuit appeared
179.19b Subito /ˈsu.bi.to/ suddenly currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot igneus /iɲ.ˈɲe.us/ fiery inter /ˈin.ter/ between eos /ˈe.os/ them-ACC apparuit /ap.pa.ˈru.it/ appeared
179.20a Equi horses currūs of-chariot flammis with-flames-ABL fulgebant were-shining sicut like sol sun
179.20b Equi /ˈe.kwi/ horses currūs /ˈkur.ruːs/ of-chariot flammis /ˈflam.mis/ with-flames-ABL fulgebant /ful.ˈdʒe.bant/ were-shining sicut /ˈsi.kut/ like sol /sol/ sun
179.21a Currus chariot Heliam Elijah-ACC de from terra earth-ABL levāvit lifted
179.21b Currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot Heliam /e.ˈli.am/ Elijah-ACC de /de/ from terra /ˈter.ra/ earth-ABL levāvit /le.ˈva.vit/ lifted
179.22a In into currum chariot-ACC caelī of-heaven propheta prophet raptus snatched est was
179.22b In /in/ into currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC caelī /ˈtʃe.li/ of-heaven propheta /pro.ˈfe.ta/ prophet raptus /ˈrap.tus/ snatched est /est/ was
179.23a Heliseus Elisha pallium mantle-ACC magistri of-master de from currū chariot-ABL cadentem falling-ACC vidit saw
179.23b Heliseus /e.li.ˈze.us/ Elisha pallium /ˈpal.li.um/ mantle-ACC magistri /ma.ˈdʒis.tri/ of-master de /de/ from currū /ˈkur.ruː/ chariot-ABL cadentem /ka.ˈden.tem/ falling-ACC vidit /ˈvi.dit/ saw
179.24a Turbines whirlwinds circa around currum chariot-ACC volābant were-flying versus toward caelum heaven-ACC
179.24b Turbines /ˈtur.bi.nes/ whirlwinds circa /ˈtʃir.ka/ around currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC volābant /vo.ˈla.bant/ were-flying versus /ˈver.sus/ toward caelum /ˈtʃe.lum/ heaven-ACC
179.25a Gloria glory Dei of-God currum chariot-ACC circumdābat was-surrounding lūce with-light-ABL magna great-ABL
179.25b Gloria /ˈɡlo.ri.a/ glory Dei /ˈde.i/ of-God currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC circumdābat /tʃir.kum.ˈda.bat/ was-surrounding lūce /ˈlu.tʃe/ with-light-ABL magna /ˈmaɲ.ɲa/ great-ABL
179.26a Filii sons prophetārum of-prophets currum chariot-ACC de from longe afar spectābant were-watching
179.26b Filii /ˈfi.li.i/ sons prophetārum /pro.fe.ˈta.rum/ of-prophets currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC de /de/ from longe /ˈlon.dʒe/ afar spectābant /spek.ˈta.bant/ were-watching
179.27a Non not vidērunt did-see amplius anymore currum chariot-ACC neque nor Heliam Elijah-ACC
179.27b Non /non/ not vidērunt /vi.ˈde.runt/ did-see amplius /ˈam.pli.us/ anymore currum /ˈkur.rum/ chariot-ACC neque /ˈne.kwe/ nor Heliam /e.ˈli.am/ Elijah-ACC
179.28a Sic thus currus chariot Dei of-God sanctum holy-ACC suum his-ACC ad to se himself-ACC vocāvit called
179.28b Sic /sik/ thus currus /ˈkur.rus/ chariot Dei /ˈde.i/ of-God sanctum /ˈsaŋk.tum/ holy-ACC suum /ˈsu.um/ his-ACC ad /ad/ to se /se/ himself-ACC vocāvit /vo.ˈka.vit/ called
179.29a Memoria memory currūs of-chariot ignei fiery in in Ecclesia Church semper always manēbit will-remain
179.29b Memoria /me.ˈmo.ri.a/ memory currūs /ˈkur.ruːs/ of-chariot ignei /iɲ.ˈɲe.i/ fiery in /in/ in Ecclesia /ek.ˈkle.zi.a/ Church semper /ˈsem.per/ always manēbit /ma.ˈne.bit/ will-remain
179.30a Laudēmus let-us-praise Deum God-ACC qui who curru by-chariot-ABL sanctos saints-ACC suos his-ACC in into gloriam glory-ACC dūcit leads
179.30b Laudēmus /lau.ˈde.mus/ let-us-praise Deum /ˈde.um/ God-ACC qui /kwi/ who curru /ˈkur.ruː/ by-chariot-ABL sanctos /ˈsaŋk.tos/ saints-ACC suos /ˈsu.os/ his-ACC in /in/ into gloriam /ˈɡlo.ri.am/ glory-ACC dūcit /ˈdu.tʃit/ leads
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179.16 Tempore illo Helias propheta magnus erat in Israhel. “At that time Elijah was a great prophet in Israel.”
179.17 Deus currum igneum de caelo misit. “God sent a fiery chariot from heaven.”
179.18 Heliseus cum magistro suo ambulābat iuxta Iordanem. “Elisha was walking with his master beside the Jordan.”
179.19 Subito currus igneus inter eos apparuit. “Suddenly a fiery chariot appeared between them.”
179.20 Equi currūs flammis fulgebant sicut sol. “The horses of the chariot were shining with flames like the sun.”
179.21 Currus Heliam de terra levāvit. “The chariot lifted Elijah from the earth.”
179.22 In currum caelī propheta raptus est. “The prophet was snatched into the chariot of heaven.”
179.23 Heliseus pallium magistri de currū cadentem vidit. “Elisha saw the mantle of his master falling from the chariot.”
179.24 Turbines circa currum volābant versus caelum. “Whirlwinds were flying around the chariot toward heaven.”
179.25 Gloria Dei currum circumdābat lūce magna. “The glory of God was surrounding the chariot with great light.”
179.26 Filii prophetārum currum de longe spectābant. “The sons of the prophets were watching the chariot from afar.”
179.27 Non vidērunt amplius currum neque Heliam. “They did not see the chariot nor Elijah anymore.”
179.28 Sic currus Dei sanctum suum ad se vocāvit. “Thus the chariot of God called his holy one to himself.”
179.29 Memoria currūs ignei in Ecclesia semper manēbit. “The memory of the fiery chariot will always remain in the Church.”
179.30 Laudēmus Deum qui curru sanctos suos in gloriam dūcit. “Let us praise God who leads his saints into glory by chariot.”
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179.16 Tempore illo Helias propheta magnus erat in Israhel.
179.17 Deus currum igneum de caelo misit.
179.18 Heliseus cum magistro suo ambulābat iuxta Iordanem.
179.19 Subito currus igneus inter eos apparuit.
179.20 Equi currūs flammis fulgebant sicut sol.
179.21 Currus Heliam de terra levāvit.
179.22 In currum caelī propheta raptus est.
179.23 Heliseus pallium magistri de currū cadentem vidit.
179.24 Turbines circa currum volābant versus caelum.
179.25 Gloria Dei currum circumdābat lūce magna.
179.26 Filii prophetārum currum de longe spectābant.
179.27 Non vidērunt amplius currum neque Heliam.
179.28 Sic currus Dei sanctum suum ad se vocāvit.
179.29 Memoria currūs ignei in Ecclesia semper manēbit.
179.30 Laudēmus Deum qui curru sanctos suos in gloriam dūcit.
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Key Grammar Points Illustrated:
Ablative of Time (179.16): Tempore illo — “at that time” uses ablative to express time when.
Ablative of Separation (179.17, 179.21): de caelo, de terra — preposition de + ablative shows separation/source.
Ablative of Accompaniment (179.18): cum magistro suo — preposition cum + ablative expresses accompaniment.
Genitive of Possession (179.20, 179.23, 179.29): Equi currūs (”horses of the chariot”), pallium magistri (”mantle of the master”), memoria currūs (”memory of the chariot”) — genitive shows possession or relationship.
Ablative of Means (179.20, 179.25, 179.30): flammis (”with flames”), lūce magna (”with great light”), curru (”by chariot”) — ablative without preposition can express means/instrument.
Passive Voice (179.22): raptus est — perfect passive of rapio (”to snatch”) — “was snatched.”
Present Participle as Adjective (179.23): cadentem — accusative singular masculine of present participle cadens from cado (”to fall”), agreeing with pallium.
Future Tense (179.29): manēbit — future active indicative of maneo (”to remain”) — “will remain.”
Hortatory Subjunctive (179.30): Laudēmus — present subjunctive of laudo expressing exhortation — “let us praise.”
Relative Clause (179.30): qui... dūcit — relative pronoun qui introduces a clause describing God.
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Key Words from This Lesson:
Latin IPA (Ecclesiastical) English Approximation currus /ˈkur.rus/ KOOR-roos currūs (gen.) /ˈkur.ruːs/ KOOR-rooss currum /ˈkur.rum/ KOOR-room currū /ˈkur.ruː/ KOOR-roo curribus /ˈkur.ri.bus/ KOOR-ri-boos igneus /iɲ.ˈɲe.us/ een-NYEH-oos caelum /ˈtʃe.lum/ CHEH-loom Helias /e.ˈli.as/ eh-LEE-ahs Heliseus /e.li.ˈze.us/ eh-li-ZEH-oos auriga /au.ˈri.ɡa/ ow-REE-gah
Ecclesiastical Pronunciation Notes:
In Ecclesiastical (Italianate) Latin: -
c before e, i, ae, oe = /tʃ/ (like “ch” in “church”) -
c before a, o, u = /k/ -
g before e, i = /dʒ/ (like “j” in “judge”) -
gn = /ɲɲ/ (like “ny” in “canyon”) -
Double consonants are geminated (held longer) -
All vowels are pure (no diphthongization)
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This lesson is part of the Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course published by the Latinum Institute. The course follows a frequency-based vocabulary progression, teaching the 1000 most essential Latin words through authentic texts drawn from the Vulgate Bible, the Church Fathers, liturgical sources, and Catholic theological tradition.
The Latinum Institute has been creating Latin learning materials since 2006, pioneering the interlinear glossing method that allows autodidact learners to develop reading fluency through immediate word-by-word comprehension. This approach, inspired by traditional methods of classical language instruction, accelerates the path from beginner to competent reader.
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Why Ecclesiastical Latin?
As Henry Nunn wrote in An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin: “The Gospels in the Vulgate are very simple and easy to understand.” The Christian authors wrote “to men who needed help and guidance,” not to impress literary circles. This makes ecclesiastical texts ideal entry points for Latin learners, providing accessible grammar in contexts of enduring spiritual significance.
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✓ Lesson 179 Ecclesiastical Latin complete
Currus Dei decem milibus multiplex, milia laetantium; Dominus in eis in Sina in sancto. — Psalmus 67:18
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