Christianity

Also called

Christianity

Origin

Roman Palestine, in the first century CE, from the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.

Texts

The Bible: the Old Testament (shared in large part with Judaism) and the New Testament, with the Gospels, the letters and Revelation.

Place of worship

A church, led by a priest, pastor, minister or bishop depending on the denomination. The three main branches are Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant.

Main beliefs

• One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Trinity).
• Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour, who died on the cross and rose again on the third day.
• Salvation through faith in Christ and the grace of God; the commandments to love God and to love one's neighbour.

Practice

Worship on Sunday in church with prayer, hymns, readings and a sermon; Holy Communion (the Eucharist); baptism; Bible reading and prayer at home.

Holy days and festivals

Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost, and (in some churches) Advent and Lent.

Visiting a place of worship

Dress neatly, be quiet, follow the lead of the congregation on standing and sitting; communion is usually for members.

A note

Christianity has many denominations with different practices. Many Indian Christians belong to old churches (such as the Syrian Christians of Kerala) as well as to later missions.

The other eleven faiths · Comparison table

Questions people ask

This is a short, neutral introduction written from widely agreed facts. Every faith has many traditions and its members may describe it differently; for a true account, ask a member of that faith. We state no figures and no dates of moveable festivals.