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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

'''Christianity''' is a religion taking its name from [[Jesus Christ]] meaning "the Savior" and "the Anointed One". Adherents are called Christians, meaning "of Christ" or "belonging to Christ".<ref>[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=2661&dict=CALD Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary]</ref> Orthodox Christians understand the term "Christians" to mean "the Anointed Ones" since all are chrismated (anointed) with Holy Myrrh.  It seems that at first the religion was called "The Way" and the adherents were called Nazarenes (after the city of Nazareth where Jesus lived). The name Christian arose in Antioch in the first century A. D. and its use spread, probably closer to mid-century since it is recorded in the [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]] (Acts:11:26)

'''Christianity''' is a religion taking its name from [[Jesus Christ]] meaning "the Savior" and "the Anointed One". Adherents are called Christians, meaning "of Christ" or "belonging to Christ".<ref>[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=2661&dict=CALD Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary]</ref> It seems that at first the religion was called "The Way" and the adherents were called Nazarenes (after the city of Nazareth where Jesus lived). The name Christian arose in Antioch in the first century A. D. and its use spread, probably closer to mid-century since it is recorded in the [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]] (Acts:11:26)

== Main Christian groups ==

== Main Christian groups ==

* the [[Orthodox Churches]] (approx. 300 million baptized members) which hold ancient theological roots stretching back to the beginnings of Christianity.  Different theological perspectives led to the [[Great Schism]] between the Western Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church in A.D. 1054.  In 1992 a statement of theological agreement was issued between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches; and although not universally recognized internally, most observers would now group these Churches together theologically.  

* the [[Orthodox Churches]] (approx. 300 million baptized members) which hold ancient theological roots stretching back to the beginnings of Christianity.  Different theological perspectives led to the [[Great Schism]] between the Western Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church in A.D. 1054.  In 1992 a statement of theological agreement was issued between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches; and although not universally recognized internally, most observers would now group these Churches together theologically.  

* [[Protestantism]], the largest Communion being the Anglicans (approx. 77 million baptized members). Protestantism has its origins in the European Reformation. It first broke away from the Roman Catholic Church under [[Martin Luther]] when differences over the nature of faith and works in the role of [[Christianity#salvation|salvation]] could not be adequately reconciled as well as other practices that Luther saw in the Catholic Church at that time that he did not agree with. Other preachers and movements then followed Luther's example and also left the Catholic fold.  Old Catholics -- though not leaving the Roman communion until the 19th Century are now largely in communion with Anglican and Lutheran groups and could be considered to fall under this category as well.

* [[Protestantism]], the largest Communion being the Anglicans (approx. 77 million baptized members). Protestantism has its origins in the European Reformation. It first broke away from the Roman Catholic Church under [[Martin Luther]] when differences over the nature of faith and works in the role of [[Christianity#salvation|salvation]] could not be adequately reconciled as well as other practices that Luther saw in the Catholic Church at that time that he did not agree with. Other preachers and movements then followed Luther's example and also left the Catholic fold.

== Christian beliefs ==

== Christian beliefs ==