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Christianity, major religion, stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or the Anointed One of God) in the 1st century ad. It has become the largest of the world’s religions. Geographically the most widely diffused of all faiths, it has a constituency of more than 2 billion believers. Its largest groups are the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the Protestant churches; in addition to these churches there are several independent churches of Eastern Christianity as well as numerous sects throughout the world. See also Eastern Orthodoxy; Roman Catholicism; and Protestantism.

This article first considers the nature and development of the Christian religion, its ideas, and its institutions. This is followed by an examination of several intellectual manifestations of Christianity. Finally, the position of Christianity in the world, the relations among its divisions and denominations, its missionary outreach to other peoples, and its relations with other world religions are discussed. For supporting material on various topics, see biblical literature; doctrine and dogma; Jesus Christ; sacred; worship; prayer; creed; sacrament; religious dress; monasticism; and priesthood.

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Aspects of the topic Christianity are discussed in the following places at Britannica.

Dead Sea Scrolls (in Dead Sea Scrolls)

history from 1055 to 1600

Baltic states (in Baltic states (region, Europe): The conquest of Estonia and Latvia)
Byzantine Empire (in Byzantine Empire (historical empire, Eurasia): Turkish expansion; in Byzantine Empire (historical empire, Eurasia): Final Turkish assault )
China (in China: Foreign relations)
Egypt (in Egypt: Religious life)
Holy Roman Empire (in Holy Roman Empire (historical empire, Europe): Empire and papacy)
Iberian Peninsula
(in history of Latin America: Ethnic diversity and its results)
- Spain (in Morisco (Spanish Muslim); in Spain: Christian Spain from the Muslim invasion to about 1260 )
India (in India: The Portuguese)
Japan
(in Japan: Religion; in Japan: The arrival of the Europeans )
- Kirishitan (in Kirishitan (religion))
- Valignano (in Alessandro Valignano (Italian missionary))
Ottoman Empire
(in Ottoman Empire (historical empire, Eurasia and Africa): Institutional evolution)
- anti-Semitism (in Ottoman Empire (historical empire, Eurasia and Africa): Classical Ottoman society and administration)
United Kingdom (in United Kingdom: Religion)

history from 1600 to the present

cities, countries, regions
- Africa (in education: South Africa)
- Beirut (in Beirut (national capital): Ottoman rule)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ottoman Bosnia)
- Central America (in Middle American Indian (people): Characteristics of Indian cultures; in Mesoamerican Indian (people): Social, political, and religious institutions )
- Ethiopia (in Ethiopia: Religion; in Ethiopia: From prehistory to the Aksumite kingdom )
- Europe (in history of Europe: Order from disorder; in history of Europe: Corporate society )
- India (in India: Religions)
- Indonesia (in Indonesia: Religions)
- Iraq (in Iraq: Religious minorities)
- Israel (in Israel: Christians)
- Japan (in Tokugawa Hidetada (shogun of Japan); in Tokugawa period (Japanese history); in Japan: The enforcement of national seclusion )
- Kenya (in Kenya: Religion)
- Lebanon (in Lebanon: Ottoman period)
- Malawi (in Malawi: Early history)
- Mali (in Mali: Religion)
- Melanesia (in Melanesian culture (cultural region, Pacific Ocean): Contemporary Melanesia)
- Mozambique (in Mozambique: Religion)
- Polynesia (in Oceanic art and architecture (visual arts): Polynesia; in Pacific Islands (region, Pacific Ocean): Missionary activity )
- Singapore (in Singapore: Religions)
- South Africa (in South Africa: Religion)
- South Korea (in South Korea: Religion)
- Southeast Asia (in Southeast Asia: Religions; in history of Southeast Asia: Religion and culture )
- Southern Africa (in Africa (continent): Religions; in Southern Africa: Growth of missionary activity; in Southern Africa: Christianity and African popular religion )
- Spain (in Spain: The expulsion of the Moriscos)
- Sri Lanka (in Sri Lanka: Language and religion)
- Syria (in Syria: Religion)
- Tanzania (in Tanzania: Religion)
- Uganda (in Uganda: Religion)
- Vietnam (in Minh Mang (emperor of Vietnam))
Enlightenment (in Enlightenment (European history); in history of Europe: Sources of Enlightenment thought; in history of Europe: The role of science and mathematics )
Jewish-Christian dialogue (in Leo Baeck (German theologian): Baeck’s philosophy; in Martin Buber (German religious philosopher): From mysticism to dialogue. )

history to 1054

cities, countries, and regions
- Aksumite empire (in eastern Africa (region, Africa): Aksum)
- Alexandria (in Alexandria (Egypt): Roman and Byzantine periods; in ancient Egypt: Society, religion, and culture )
- Anatolia (in Anatolia (historical region, Asia): Late Byzantine rule)
- ancient Britain (in United Kingdom: The decline of Roman rule)
- Antioch (in Antioch (modern and ancient city, south-central Turkey))
- Armenia (in Armenia: The Arsacids)
- Austria (in Austria: Prehistory and Roman times)
- Balkan Peninsula (in Balkans: Christendom)
- Bulgaria (in Bulgaria: The spread of Christianity)
- Byzantine Empire (in Byzantine Empire (historical empire, Eurasia): The reforms of Diocletian and Constantine; in Byzantine Empire (historical empire, Eurasia): Later Comneni )
- Caesarea (in Caesarea (ancient city, Israel))
- Cappadocia (in Cappadocia (ancient district, Turkey))
- Denmark (in Denmark: The Viking era)
- Edessa (in Şanlıurfa (Turkey))
- Egypt (in ancient Egypt: The advance of Christianity)
- England (in United Kingdom: The invaders and their early settlements)
- Ephesus (in Ephesus (ancient city, Turkey): History)
- Eritrea (in Eritrea: Religion)
- Ethiopia (in education: Ethiopia)
- Europe (in history of Europe: Romans; in history of Europe: The reconfiguration of the empire )
- France (in France: Gaul under the late Roman Empire (c. 250–c. 400); in France: Institutions )
- Frankish territories (in Frank (people))
- Gaul (in Gaul (ancient region, Europe))
- Georgia (in Georgia: Medieval Georgia)
- Germany (in Saint Boniface (English missionary); in Germany: Merovingian Germany )
- Holy Roman Empire (in Holy Roman Empire (historical empire, Europe): Nature of the empire; in Holy Roman Empire (historical empire, Europe): The Ottonian Empire )
- Hungary (in Hungary: The Christian kingdom)
- Iceland (in Iceland: Christianization)
- Illyria (in Albania: The Roman Empire)
- Iraq (in Iraq: Iraq from c. 600 to 1055)
- Ireland (in Ireland: Early Christianity)
- Italy (in Italy: The Lombard kingdom, 584–774; in Italy: The south, 774–1000 )
- Jordan (in Jordan: Biblical associations)
- Kiev (in Kiev (national capital): The first Rus capital)
- Low Countries (in history of the Low Countries: Religion)
- Mesopotamia (in history of Mesopotamia (historical region, Asia): The Parthian period; in history of Mesopotamia (historical region, Asia): The Sāsānian period )
- Moravia (in Czechoslovak history: Moravia)
- North Africa (in North Africa: Christianity and the Donatist controversy)
- Norway (in Olaf I Tryggvason (king of Norway); in Olaf II Haraldsson (king of Norway); in Norway: Christianization )
- Palestine (in Palestine: Roman Palestine)
- Poland (in Poland: The early state)
- Portugal (in Portugal: Pre-Roman, Roman, Germanic, and Muslim periods)
- Roman Empire (in Roman Empire (ancient state [27 bc-476 ad]): Imperial Rome; in ancient Rome (ancient state, Europe, Africa, and Asia): The rise of Christianity; in ancient Rome (ancient state, Europe, Africa, and Asia): The Christian church )
- Russia (in Russia: Religion; in Russia: Social and political institutions )
- Scotland (in Scotland (constituent unit, United Kingdom): Christianity)
- Southwest Asian origin (in Asia (continent): Southwest Asia)
- Spain (in Spain: Religion)
- Sudan (in Sudan: Religion; in Sudan: Medieval Christian kingdoms )
- Sweden (in Sweden: Christianization)
- Ukraine (in Ukraine: Visual arts; in Ukraine: Kievan Rus )
- Wales (in Wales (constituent unit, United Kingdom): Early Christianity)
conversion of Constantine I (in Constantine I (Roman emperor))
effect on
- Arabian religions (in Arabian religion (ancient religion): South Arabia)
- boxing history (in boxing (sport): Early years)
- Irish Gaelic literature (in Celtic literature: Early period)
- Mudejar (in Mudejar (Spanish Muslim community))
Jews’ religious freedom (in Judaism (religion): Palestine (c. 220–c. 400))
Manichaeism (in Manichaeism (ancient religious movement))
Middle Ages (in history of Europe: The term and concept before the 18th century; in history of Europe: The term and concept before the 18th century; in history of Europe: The organization of late imperial Christianity; in history of Europe: The organization of late imperial Christianity; in history of Europe: Reform and renewal; in history of Europe: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam )
Mithraism’s decline (in Mithraism (Persian religion): History)
persecution policy of
- Athanaric (in Athanaric (Visigoth chieftain))
- Decius (in Decius (Roman emperor))
- Diocletian (in Diocletian (Roman emperor): Persecution of Christians)
- Galerius (in Galerius (Roman emperor))
- Marcus Aurelius (in Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome): Roman emperor)
- Maximian (in Maximian (Roman emperor))
- Maximinus (in Galerius Valerius Maximinus (emperor of Rome))
- Nero (in Nero (Roman emperor): Artistic pretensions and irresponsibility)
- Trajan (in Trajan (Roman emperor): Domestic policies as emperor)
- Valerian (in Valerian (Roman emperor))
schism of 1054
(in schism (religion); in Schism of 1054 (Christianity) )
- Church Slavonic language (in Slavic languages: The emergence of the individual Slavic languages)
- Eastern Orthodoxy (in Eastern Orthodoxy (Christianity): Nature and significance)
- Melchites (in Melchite (Christian sect))

myth and legend

(in Christianity: Christian myth and legend)

allegory (in fable, parable, and allegory (parable): Allegory)
dragons (in dragon (mythological creature))
Jewish mythology (in Judaism (religion): Contribution of Haggada to Christian and Islamic legends)
medieval Ireland (in Ireland: Learning and art)
unicorns (in unicorn (mythological creature))
use by Thomas (in Dylan Thomas (British author))

organization and practice

asceticism (in asceticism: Forms of religious asceticism.)
cantor (in cantor (ecclesiastical official))
celibacy (in celibacy: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity)
episcopacy (in episcopacy (Christianity))
episcopus vagans (in episcopus vagans (Christianity))
ministry (in Saint Augustine (Christian bishop and theologian); in ministry (Christianity) )
monasticism (in monasticism (religion): Monasticism today; in monasticism (religion): Christianity )
mysticism
(in Christianity: Christian mysticism; in mysticism )
- Dutch medieval literature (in Dutch literature: Poetry and prose)
- experience of transpersonal Godhead (in Christianity: The belief in the oneness of the Father and the Son)
- German medieval culture (in Germany: Cultural life)
- Gregory of Nyssa (in patristic literature (Christianity): The Cappadocian Fathers)
- Jewish mysticism (in Judaism (religion): The Arabic-Islamic influence (7th–13th century); in Judaism (religion): Modern Jewish mysticism )
- Law (in William Law (British author))
- Low Countries (in history of the Low Countries: Culture)
- Loyola (in Saint Ignatius of Loyola (Spanish saint): Ordination)
- Müntzer (in Thomas Müntzer (German religious reformer): Early life and career)
- Pietism (in Protestantism (Christianity): Pietism in the 17th century)
- prophetic movements (in prophecy: Prophetic and millenarian movements in later Christianity)
- Pseudo-Dionysius (in Pseudo-Dionysius The Areopagite (Syrian author))
- Renaissance in northern Europe (in history of Europe: Christian mystics)
- Roman Catholicism (in Roman Catholicism: The emergence of Catholic Christianity)
- St. John of the Cross (in Saint John of the Cross (Spanish mystic))
oratory development (in oratory (rhetoric))
priesthood (in priesthood (religion): Christianity; in priesthood (religion): The modern situation )
vows (in vow (religion))

philosophy

(in Christianity: Christian philosophy)

branches
- epistemology (in epistemology (philosophy): St. Augustine)
- ethics (in moral theology)
- philosophical anthropology (in philosophical anthropology: Medieval prelude; in philosophical anthropology: Medieval prelude; in philosophical anthropology: The idealism of Kant and Hegel )
- philosophy of history (in philosophy of history: Theological origins)
- philosophy of religion (in philosophy of religion: Ancient origins; in philosophy of religion: Epistemological issues )
- political philosophy (in political philosophy: St. Augustine; in political philosophy: The Middle Ages; in political philosophy: Aquinas )
contribution by
- Bossuet (in history of Europe: History and social thought)
- Carlini (in Armando Carlini (Italian philosopher))
- Kierkegaard (in Søren Kierkegaard (Danish philosopher): Three dimensions of the religious life)
- Schelling (in Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling (German philosopher): Period of intense productivity.)
- Thomas Aquinas (in Saint Thomas Aquinas (Italian Christian theologian and philosopher): Studies in Paris)
criticism by
- Machiavelli (in Niccolò Machiavelli (Italian statesman and writer): The Discourses on Livy)
- Nietzsche (in ethics (philosophy): Nietzsche)
- Rousseau (in Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Swiss-born French philosopher): Major works of political philosophy; in Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Swiss-born French philosopher): Years of seclusion and exile )
schools and doctrines
- Aristotelianism (in Aristotelianism: Relationship to Neoplatonism; in Aristotelianism: Aristotelianism from the 19th century )
- Hellenistic philosophy (in Hellenistic religion: The influence of Hellenistic religions)
- humanism (in history of Europe: Renaissance thought; in humanism: Humanism and Christianity )
- medieval philosophy (in Western philosophy: Shifts in the focus and concern of Western philosophy; in Western philosophy: Medieval philosophy )
- pantheism and panentheism (in pantheism: Ancient Middle Eastern doctrines; in pantheism: Medieval doctrines )
- Platonism (in Christian Platonism)
- Scholasticism (in Scholasticism (philosophy): Nature and significance)
- Stoicism (in Stoicism: Nature and scope of Stoicism; in Stoicism: Later Roman Stoicism )
views on space and time (in metaphysics: Space and time)

relationship to

ancient European religions
(in Roman religion: Introduction of Christianity and Mithraism; in Hellenistic religion: Religion from Commodus to Theodosius I: ad 180–395 )
- Baltic religion (in Baltic religion: Sources of data; in Baltic religion: Sacred times )
- Celtic religion (in Celtic religion: The impact of Christianity)
- Greek religion (in Greek religion (ancient religion))
Buddhism (in Buddhism (religion): The premodern period to the present)
Indian religions
- Brahmo Samaj (in Brahmo Samaj (Hinduism); in Keshab Chunder Sen (Hindu philosopher and social reformer) )
- Hinduism (in Hinduism (religion): The modern period (19th–21st century); in Hinduism (religion): Hinduism and Christianity )
Iranian religions (in ancient Iran: Christianity; in Zoroastrianism (religion): Nature and significance )
Judaism
(in Judaism (religion): Periodization; in Judaism (religion): Origin of Christianity: the early Christians and the Jewish community; in Judaism (religion): Relation to Christianity )
- Talmud (in Talmud and Midrash (Judaism): Opposition to the Talmud)
Middle Eastern civilization (in ancient Middle East (historical region, Asia): Religion)
mystery religions (in mystery religion (Greco-Roman religion): Common features in Roman imperial times; in mystery religion (Greco-Roman religion): Mystery religions and Christianity )
Native American religions (in Native American religions: Historical change; in Native American religions: South America )

ritual and worship

altars (in altar (religion))
circumcision (in circumcision (ritual surgical procedure))
death rites (in death rite (anthropology): Life and death; in death rite (anthropology): Cult of the dead )
dietary laws and food customs
(in dietary law (religion): Christianity)
- vegetarianism (in vegetarianism (dietary practice): Ancient origins)
Easter (in Easter (holiday))
feast and festival (in feast (religion): Concepts of sacred times)
Good Friday (in Good Friday (Christianity))
imposition of hands (in imposition of hands (Judaism and Christianity))
liturgical use of biblical literature (in biblical literature: Biblical literature in the liturgy of Christianity)
orb significance (in orb (royal emblem))
prayer
(in prayer: Nature and significance)
- rosary (in rosary (religion))
- use of amen (in amen (prayer))
relics (in relic (religion))
religious dress and vestments (in religious dress: Christianity)
ritualistic objects
(in ceremonial object (religion): Places of worship and sacrifice; in ceremonial object (religion): Objects used in sacrifices and in sacred meals )
- ampulla (in ampulla (flask))
- amulets (in amulet (charm))
sacraments
(in sacrament (religion): Nature and significance; in sacrament (religion): Conclusion )
- baptism (in baptism (Christianity))
- Eucharist (in Eucharist (Christianity); in sacrifice (religion): Divine offerings; in sacrifice (religion): Christianity )
symbolism and iconography (in religious symbolism and iconography: Concepts of symbolization; in religious symbolism and iconography: Conclusion )
worshipping communities (in worship (religion): Corporate exclusive worship)

social and cultural aspects

Anarchist theory (in anarchism: Foundations of anarchist thought)
attitude toward
- birth control (in birth control: Ethics and the influence of religious systems; in population (biology and anthropology): Population theories in antiquity )
- censorship (in censorship: Medieval Christendom)
- classical scholarship (in classical scholarship: Christian versus classical scholarship)
- constitutional government (in constitution (politics and law): Influence of the church)
- evolution (in Charles Darwin (British naturalist): Evolution by natural selection: the London years, 1836–42; in evolution (scientific theory): Early ideas; in evolution (scientific theory): Religious criticism and acceptance )
- family law (in family law: Engagement; in family law: Family courts )
- history of Earth (in geochronology (Earth science): Early views and discoveries)
- interest (in bank (finance): Interest rate controls)
- occultism (in witchcraft: Contemporary witchcraft)
- pacifism (in pacifism (political philosophy): Early religious and philosophical movements)
- sex and sexuality (in human sexual behaviour: Sociosexual behaviour; in human sexual behaviour: Social and cultural aspects )
- slavery (in slavery (sociology): Sources of slavery law; in race (human): The enslavement and racialization of Africans; in slavery (sociology): Attitudes toward slavery: the matter of race )
- warfare (in law of war: Law by treaty)
Byzantine coinage (in coin: Coinage in the Byzantine Empire)
calendar origin and reform (in calendar (chronology): Adoption in various countries)
Christian Socialism (in Christian Socialism (political philosophy))
chronology (in chronology: Christian)
church and state (in church and state)
demography of Europe (in Europe: Christianity)
education (in education: Education in the later Roman Empire; in education: From the beginnings to the 4th century )
fascism (in fascism (politics): Identification with Christianity)
globalization (in cultural globalization (anthropology): Religion and globalization)
history of science (in history of science: Science in Rome and Christianity)
legal profession origins (in legal profession: Medieval Europe)
medicine (in history of medicine: Christian and Muslim reservoirs of learning; in medical education: History of medical education; in hospital: History of hospitals )
publishing (in history of publishing: Christianity and the book)
Scandinavian languages (in Scandinavian languages: The advent of Christianity)
time (in time (physics): Environmental recurrences and religion)
writing
- calligraphy origins and development (in calligraphy: Cursive capitals)
- hieroglyphic decline (in hieroglyphic writing: Christianity and the Greek alphabet)
- Vulgar Latin (in Romance languages: Vulgar Latin)

LINKS

Other Britannica Sites

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Christianity - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11): With some 2 billion followers, Christianity is the world’s most widespread religion. Christianity is based on the life, death, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The religion has three main branches-Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.
Christianity - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up): The beliefs and practices of Christianity are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is divided into three main denominations: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. There are more Christians in the world (some 2 billion at the beginning of the 21st century) than followers of any other single religion. (See also Jesus Christ.)

The topic Christianity is discussed at the following external Web sites.

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