Igreja

In Portuguese, "Igreja" translates directly to "church" in English. It refers to a building specifically consecrated for Christian religious services and worship. More broadly, it can also refer to the Christian religious community as a whole, or to a specific Christian denomination or organization (e.g., Igreja Católica - Catholic Church; Igreja Batista - Baptist Church). The word carries significant cultural and religious weight in Portuguese-speaking countries, reflecting the historical influence of Christianity in these regions. The term can encompass both the physical structure of a church building and the collective body of believers.