Category:Convocation

Con`vo*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. convocatio: cf. F. convocation. See Convoke.]

1. The act of calling or assembling by summons.

2. An assembly or meeting. In the first day there shall be a holy convocation. Ex. xii. 16.

3. (Ch. of Eng.)

Defn: An assembly of the clergy, by their representatives, to consult on ecclesiastical affairs.

Note: In England, the provinces of Canterbury and York have each their convocation, but no session for business were allowed from 1717 to 1861. The Convocation of Canterbury consists of two houses. In the Convocation of York the business has been generally conducted in one assembly.

4. (Oxf. University)

Defn: An academical assembly, in which the business of the university is transacted.

Syn. -- meeting; assembly; congregation; congress; diet; convention; synod; council.

- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Convocation - A meeting of a religious character as distinguished from congregation, which was more general, dealing with political and legal matters. Hence it is called an "holy convocation." Such convocations were the Sabbaths (Leviticus 23:2, Leviticus 23:3), the Passover (Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7, Leviticus 23:8; Numbers 28:25), Pentecost (Leviticus 23:21), the feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 29:1), the feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:26), and the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:35, Leviticus 23:36). The great fast, the annual day of atonement, was "the holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:27; Numbers 29:7).