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The '''Church of England''' (or, ''Anglican Church'') is the English national church that traces its history back to the sixth century in England, when Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to Britain to bring a more disciplined Apostolic succession to the Celtic Christians. The Church of England is a [[denomination]] that arouse during the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]], although it is not regarded as Protestant by many, because of its many similarities with [[Roman Catholism]].

The '''Church of England''' (or, ''Anglican Church'') is the English national church that traces its history back to the sixth century in England, when Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to Britain to bring a more disciplined Apostolic succession to the Celtic Christians. The Church of England is a [[denomination]] that arouse during the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]], although it is not regarded as Protestant by many, because of its many similarities with Roman [[Catholism]].

==Establishment==

==Establishment==

The church was formally organised by King [[Henry VIII]] of [[England]]. Like Oriental and Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (and unlike many other Protestant churches), Anglicans maintain authority within the church through [[Apostolic succession]].

The church was formally organised by King [[Henry VIII]] of [[England]]. Like Oriental and Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (and unlike Protestant churches), Anglicans maintain authority within the church through [[Apostolic succession]].

The British monarch (currently, Queen [[Elizabeth II]]) is technically head of the church.  

The British monarch (currently, Queen [[Elizabeth II]]) is technically head of the church.  

The [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] is the Primate of the church.

The [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] is the Primate of the church.

The principal book of worship in Anglican churches is the [[Book of Common Prayer]].  The basic summary of Anglican beliefs and practices is the [[Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion]], written by [[Thomas Cramner]] and adopted in 1563.

The principal book of worship in Anglican churches is the [[Book of Common Prayer]].  The basic summary of Anglican beliefs and practices is the [[Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion]], written by [[Thomas Cramner]] and adopted in 1563. The influence of the Thirty-Nine Articles has declined rapidly since, and the Church has moved gradually farther away rom [[Protestantism]] and closer to [[Catholism]] in recent times.

The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. This is what the [[United States Constitution| US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."  

The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. This is what the [[United States Constitution| US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."