12 - Theme: Christianity

Jesus Christ

How many Christians, as the debate continues about the identity of the base ¬ shipment. How much is the historical figure of Jesus Christ? Jesus - name, fairly common among the ancient Jews. Christ - the Greek translation of the Hebrew word "Messiah," "Messiah," which means "anointed one." The ancient Jews considered the anointed king, who ascended the throne when anointed with the holy oil, by means of which, in view of the time, he was mysteriously communicated to the special power of God. After destruction of the Jewish state in the VI. BC there is the expectation of the coming of the Messiah who would save his people from slavery.

His coming was foretold. Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ in the Bible were written words of the great prophets of Israel predicting His coming. The Old Testament, written by many people, for the 1500-year period more than 300 prophetic predictions of His coming. All of them were filled as it was predicted, including: His miraculous birth, His sinless life, His many miracles. His death and His resurrection.

The life of Jesus, the miracles - They committed, words - They ska ¬ zannye. His death on the cross, His resurrection - all points to the fact that he was not just an ordinary person. He was more than a man. Jesus claimed, "I and the Father - one" (Jonah 10:30) "... He who has seen Me has seen the Father ..." (Ion 14:9) and "I am the way and the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father , but by me "(Jonah 14:6).

Stories about Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as in the epistles and Acts of God the Son, yavivshemsya to the world in the image of Sauveur ¬ shennogo person to take on the sins of the people and save them for eternal of life, raises many doubts. Ultimately, the debate about Jesus Christ led to the formation of two major schools - the mythological and historical.

Representatives of the mythological school believe that science does not have reliable data about Jesus as a historical figure. Gospel stories about him, written many years after the events described in them, contain no real historical basis. In addition, the historical sources I began to. nothing about such an extraordinary event as the resurrection, the miracles Christ accomplishments, his preaching. One of the main arguments in favor of their point of view considered mythological

school vnepalestinskoe origins of Christianity, and the presence of analogies with tales of being born, dying and rising gods in other Eastern cultures, the presence of a large number of gospels contradictions, inconsistencies and inaccuracies.

The second school of history finds Jesus a real person, a preacher of a new religion, which made a number of fundamental ideas that laid the basis for Christian teaching prob ¬. The reality of Jesus confirmed the reality of a number of evangelical characters, such as John the Baptist, the Apostle Pa ¬ led, and other directly related to Christ Evangelical plot. Available science now has a number of sources, under ¬ confirmatory findings of the historical school. So, for a long time ¬ tion contained in "Antiquities" of Josephus (37 - after 100 years.) Fragment of Jesus Christ considered late inter ¬ extrapolation. However, found in 1971 in Egypt, the Arabic text of "antiquity", made the Egyptian Bishop Agapit in X., Gives every reason to believe that Flavius described one of his famous preacher named Jesus, but in the description of Flavia and no mention of Christ committed miracles, and his resurrection is described not as a fact, but as one of many stories on this subject.

According to Christian tradition about Jesus Christ, the history of its occurrence is the following. After destruction of the Jewish state in the VI. BC there is the expectation of the coming of the Messiah who would save his people from slavery. In this regard, the holy prophets sent down by God unto the children of Israel (so called themselves Hebrews), predicted the imminent coming of the Divine Savior, the Messiah. He must save mankind from all sins, and bring God the great atoning sacrifice. It is ¬ raet evil and unjust, will give people new laws to establish the kingdom of God, the kingdom of justice on earth. Grozny messiah became head of the chosen people of Israel and for all make it free from foreign invaders.

And then, finally, prophesied miracle happened ¬ elk. Poor girl was Mary and the angel Gabriel told her that she was chosen by God to be the mother of the expected Messiah. The Virgin Mary came down the holy spirit, and she, being chaste, virtuous, conceived of the Holy Child. Her husband, the pious old man Joseph, the angel Gabriel also warned of the virgin birth of the divine child of the Holy Spirit, took it all for granted. Soon the Holy Virgin Mary gave birth in a cave near the town of Bethlehem, the savior of the human race, received the name of Jesus.

Cruel ruler of Judea - Herod learned of the birth ¬ tion prophesied king of Israel, ordered his men to kill all the babies born in Bethlehem at the time. But the angel of the Lord had saved holy family and helped him to escape from the persecution of Herod to Egypt. In the years that Jesus does not show himself, and only after reaching the age of 30 Son of God, yet God himself Jesus Christ Priest ¬ drank to

his preaching. He gathered a few faithful disciples, the apostles, and with them went to preach a new religion in the country.

At the same time, according to tradition, the prophet John (born, by the way, in the same miraculous way) became ¬ schat proclaim the imminent coming of the savior. After meeting with John, near the Jordan River, Jesus Christ and his disciples were baptized.

As recounted in Christ ¬ stianskih "sacred" CED ¬ gah, when John the Baptist made this ceremony were opened ¬ heaven and Jesus with the Holy Spirit, was in the form of ¬ lubya and a voice from heaven said, "This is My Beloved Son ¬ lenny, and which my blah ¬ govolenie "(Matt. III, 17).

Christ began to preach ¬ lead the new teaching. ¬ stvuya Travelling around the country, it is, according to the Gospels, made some fantastic chu-des: raise the dead, izle ¬ Chiva crippled, blind, chronic ¬ Mykh, cast out evil spirits from people obsessed demon (that is crazy), walking on the waves Teveriadskogo raging lake, etc. And everywhere he played with the negation of traditional ¬ tion, supported by priests Israelite religion. First of all, Christ demanded rejection of sacrifices to God, from the commission of complex rituals and priestly ritual. He preached that God does not need a huge set of strict prohibitions and requirements that the life of a man enmeshed Jewish religion, but sincere and heartfelt belief in him. Gospel of Christ draws epitome of gentleness, forgiveness, charity, humility. Son of God, made flesh in the form of a poor carpenter, clothing slave, despised and persecuted its nozzle exchanger, persecuted priests and priests and suffering with extraordinary patience all these there ¬ sheniya becomes now in the eyes of the faithful embodiment ¬ tion most pleasing to God integrity.

The main ideas attributed to Jesus Christ, with ¬ stand the following: the kingdom of God will come soon, it does not get everything, but only those who believe in the divinity of Jesus, who recognizes him to be the son of God, and all follow his instructions.

Preaching of Christ, according to the Gospels, lasted about three years. Embittered successes Christ Jerusalem priests and the priests decided to put him on trial. Betrayed by one of his students - the apostle Judas - and caught by enemies, Jesus was condemned to death. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, tell the gospel, without admitting it the Son of God and savior of the human race, threw stones at him, chased insulting cries. Accused of violating the laws and Oba ¬ teas of the country, Jesus was handed over to the Roman governor of Judea - Pontius Pilate. Together with the two robbers took Christ to Mount Calvary. Here, he was betrayed by a

painful punishment. Nailed him alive to a huge wooden cross, which according to legend, he himself with humility and gentleness brought to the place of execution.

But the greatest miracle happened. Lord God, becoming his own son, and embodied in the image of the son of man, offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of men. Great atoning sacrifice of Christ, made possible the salvation of every man, if he will believe in Jesus Christ. On the third day after the death of Jesus was resurrected for some time resided with her students, teaching them the truth and works wonders. After that, he in front of their followers living ascended to heaven. The remaining apostles went to the ends of the world about the wonderful tidings of the life and deeds of Christ. On them emerged and developed according to legend Christian Church, just as from a tiny mustard seed grows a mighty mustard tree.

So, what information in the existence of Christ do we have? The earliest non-Christian reference occurs in the "Jewish Antiquities". In the Talmud, there are references to Jesus of Nazareth. Of pagan literature highlighted letter of Pliny the Younger (about 110 AD), in which he asks Trajan's advice on how he should do with Christians. Five years later, the famous Roman historian Tacitus describes the persecution of Christians. This passage corresponds to the "Acts of the Apostles." In the middle of the I. Gentile Tull in a fragment, preserved by Julius Afrikantov, argued that the unusual darkness covered the land at the time of Christ's death was nothing more than a purely natural phenomenon and coincidence. As can be seen from this conclusion, Tall doubted the existence of Christ. Reliability of Christ did not reject even the most ardent heathens.

Christian sources, confirming the existence of Jesus, starting with the Apostle Paul (Romans). In the Gospels, there is a lot of controversy, a lot of dubious historical information, suspicious details about the life of Christ. Apparently, talks and speeches, mentioned in the Gospels, have been distorted by insecure memory, by correspondence. But these differences affect the particular, not the essence. In the main features of the Gospel agree very well, consistently drawing the portrait of Jesus. Despite the prejudices and theological orientation of the original, the evangelists record many episodes bypassed ordinary Fibber - competition among the apostles for high places in the Kingdom, their flight after the arrest of Jesus, Peter's denial, the failure of the chudotvorstvom in Galilee, the comments of some students about his madness, cry of despair on the cross, his early uncertainty in its mission. To many ordinary people could dream up such a powerful and attractive personality, so lofty ethics - all of this would bόlshim miracle than the miracles of the Gospel.

Today, most modern studies recognize the historicity of Jesus. Since the first half of the I. BC in Palestine, mainly in Galilee, wandering "teacher" by the name of Jesus, the way of life and social status which had much in common with the rabbis and the ascetics of the time, although he is in their circle not included. Environment from which Jesus came, took his first sermon. This poor Galilee, out of the midst of which I c. BC published many Libertarian and rebels.

Holidays and mystery of Christianity

Baptism symbolizes taking people to the fold of the Christian Church. According to Christian doctrine, in the sacrament of baptism, "the man of original sin is forgiven." The ritual is performed in the temple by immersion or perfusion.

To preserve the purity of soul, received in Baptism, to grow and mature in the spiritual life, need special help from God, which, as Christians believe, served in tainstvemiropomazaniya. Is a sacrament in that person's body smeared with special perfumed oil (chrism). Before anointing the priest recites prayers for the Holy Spirit to man, and then lubricate it crosswise forehead, eyes, nose, lips, ears, chest, arms and legs.

Sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Holy Eucharist (which means "thank-offering"), has an important place in Christian worship. This mystery is that the so-called believers partake of the sacrament, consisting of bread and wine, in the belief that they may taste the body and blood of Christ, and thus, as it approached the deity.

Orthodox and Catholics are obliged periodically to confess their sins to a priest, which is essential for the remission of sins, forgiveness guilty church the name of Jesus Christ. Ritual to practice and absolution is the basis of the sacrament of penance. Originally confession was made public. Believers who violated church regulations were to be presented before the court of their co-religionists and churchmen and publicly repent of sins. Later entered the seal of confession. Believer confesses his sins "confessor," one priest. In this case, the Church guarantees the secrecy of confession.

The seven sacraments of the Christian Church is the sacrament of marriage, during which time he be sent to the couple to live together in the name of Jesus Christ. Sanctifying union people, the Christian church as it takes on a new family under his wing. It teaches how to behave in the family, husband and wife, as they should raise their children, etc.

Sacrament of Holy Unction is performed over the sick man, and it is lubricated wooden maslomeleem. It is believed that the person goes to the extreme unction divine grace, healing him from physical and mental illnesses.

When ordained the sacrament of the priesthood, in which the bishop of the initiate passes miraculously special kind of grace, which from now on, the new priest budetobladat whole life.

Along with the worship of God, the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary in Christianity formed the cult of saints, the veneration of persons acceptable to God and marked them "a gift of miracles." Christians believe that the saints - is a mediator between God and men, the heavenly patrons of living on earth, and turned to them for help in mundane affairs.

Among the Saints recovered angels, apostles, prophets, saints, martyrs, saints, righteous. Angels - is, according to representations of Christians, genderless, supernatural beings, "heavenly servants of God", endowed with divine powers. They are divided into three categories, or three so-called face. The first are the seraphim - "ogneobraznye being flaming love of God" and cherubs - 'a being who shine the light of knowledge of God, pour out God's wisdom. " The second face of the angels' ranks domination "(domination over the lower angels)," forces "(carrying out the will of God)," power "(which have authority over the devil.) The third are the face of the "ranks", the chief of the lower angels - angels and an angel. Seven angels are endowed with the names of the rest - blank.

Next category holy prophets are endowed with the divine gift of prophecy, and the authors of the Old Testament prophetic books. In a special section of the Christian Church distinguishes apostles - disciples of Jesus Christ, to preach the Gospel. It also includes a holy saints from among the higher clergy and the martyrs who suffered for their faith, but did not retreat from hristiantva. A special place among the saints occupy Saints - faithful followers of Christianity, renounced life benefits, gone to monasteries and shaded by divine grace.

In the pantheon of saints stand upright - people who do not care "from the world" in seclusion, but continued to live "in the world", but his righteous behavior deserve salvation and a special arrangement to his Lord. Saints are the upper limits for the Christians of piety and role model. They literally share the holiness of God.

Plays an important role in Christian worship of the cross, the symbol of the Christian faith. Cross crowned Christian churches, clergy apparel. It is worn on the body of believers, without the Cross can not do any Christian rite. This character passed the Christian church in memory of the martyrdom of Christ, who, according

to the Gospels, was crucified on the cross. Catholics recognize the four-point crosses, Orthodox - of six-and eight-pointed.

The Catholic and Orthodox churches attach great importance to the cult of icons. Worshipping Jesus depicted in the icons, the Virgin, the saints, believers seek to facilitate their misfortunes in life to achieve what you want.

Object of worship, the faithful are also holy places associated with various events of church history and deeds of Jesus Christ, the Virgin, the saints. Particularly revered shrines in Palestine are related to the life, preaching, a martyr's death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Orthodoxy revered place where you store working icons, relics of the saints, as well as sources, the mountains, the hills, where the people is any icon.

An important part of Christian worship are holidays. In the Orthodox and Catholic Church calendar for each day hearth falls a particular holiday. Holidays are set to mark the actual events of sacred history, famous dates in the history of Christianity.

 To the main, the most revered general Christian holidays are Easter and the so-called twelve great feasts of the Virgin Nativity, The Presentation of the Virgin, the Annunciation of the Virgin, the Assumption of the Virgin, Christmas, Candlemas, Epiphany, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, or the Trinity, the Exaltation of the Cross.

"Feast of feasts and celebration of celebrations," said Easter. This holiday is established in memory playback Kresen crucified Christ. Easter is preceded by Lent, which lasts for seven weeks. It is divided into two parts: the Holy Lent and Holy Week. Lent is set to honor 40 years of the Israelites wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, the 40-day fast of Moses on Mount Sinai, and also a 40-day fast of Jesus in the desert. The second part - Holy Week - dedicated to the memory of the sufferings of Jesus Christ before his execution.

Christmas - general Christian holiday marking the birth of the son of God, Jesus Christ. This event is the church calls the "mother of all celebrations." In the Christmas days in temples emphasizes that the life of Jesus is the way to be followed for everyone. Christmas holidays as Easter, preceded by a multi-day post. Trinity, or Pentecost - one of the most important Christian holiday, which is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. It is installed in the memory of a real historical event - the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Typical for this holiday is a special sermon, the exclusive role of the Christian church as the guardian and teacher of the covenants of Christ believers.

 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Gospels is devoted to the representation of Jesus Christ, parents Joseph and Mary of the divine infant Bogu.Svyaschennosluzhiteli, speaking about the meaning of the Presentation call it a holiday "meeting of Man and God." It is noted the greatest example of the Mother of God, who not only has dedicated her life to God, but also brought to sanctify Gd her baby.

One of the most significant for Christians is Epiphany. He is established in memory of baptism Iiususa Christ in the Jordan River. This holiday is also another name - Epiphany, as at the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ, "God the Father testified from heaven, and God The Holy Spirit descended like a dove." In the holiday is the main ritual blessing of the water in the church and in the hole, where he served as the solemn service.

At the heart of the Transfiguration of the Lord is the Gospel account of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ vprisutstvii faithful of his disciples. Matthew said about this. Once Jesus Christ, accompanied by his disciples Peter, James and John, Xia raised the mountain and suddenly changed for them, "iprosiyalo his face like the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." And then there was the "voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear him." On the day in the temples is a solemn service offered by the faithful fruit. After the consecration and blessing of fruits and vegetables they were allowed to eat. In Russia this holiday is called Apple Spas.

 On the last Sunday before Easter in memory of "entry into Jerusalem" Christians celebrate the special holiday that bears the name of another Palm Sunday. In the holiday takes place in temples consecrated willow, which is stored in the homes of the faithful for a whole year. This holiday reminds the faithful that it is Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Savior of mankind, the Old Testament prophets predicted.

In memory of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is also equipped with a special celebration. According to the Gospel narrative, after the martyrdom of Christ miraculously resurrected and ascended to heaven. This event is finished on the 40th day after the resurrection of Christ priests called Ascension Day holiday complete salvation, for the salvation of all: Christmas, passion, death and resurrection completed ascension.

The cult of the cross - a symbol of the Christian faith - is dedicated to celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross. With the cross church connects several important events. One of them always remember in the holiday sermons. According to legend, the Roman emperor Constantine, who allowed the free exercise of

Christianity, while still a pagan, in front of one of the biggest battles of his had a wonderful vision. Before him in the sky was illuminated by the glow of a cross with the words "In this sign conquer!". That same night the Emperor appeared in a dream Jesus Christ himself, and advised to take the battle flag with a cross. Constantine did as Jesus commanded. In the battle Constantine won and has since come to believe in the miraculous power of the cross.

Prominent place in Christianity is the cult of the Virgin. In her honor erected many churches, its image is found on many icons, she devoted all four of the twelve great feasts: Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, the Annunciation of the Virgin and the Assumption of the Virgin.

Orthodox Bible

The Orthodox Church is composed of a series of related but independent churches, most of them Greek and Church Slavonic. The Bible uses the Septuagint Greek churches as the Old Testament and the original Greek text of the New Testament.

Orthodox Bible is a Greek translation of the Bible in one of the dialects of the ancient Bulgarian language (the language of the translation is traditionally called Old Church Slavonic). Like the Catholic, Orthodox Church bases its belief on the Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.

Orthodox church

Principal place right ¬ voslavnogo rite (making public and private worship, sacraments, rites) is the temple (church). For all the variety of architectural styles and internally ¬ th unit Orthodox churches they have a number of general ¬ mandatory elements: orientation to the east end dome, topped with a cross, a bell tower, built in the church building, or stand alone.

Inside the temple is divided into three parts: the altar, the middle part (sometimes called the refectory), porch.

The altar is separated from the middle part of the temple deaf negotiations ¬ rodkoy that hosts the iconostasis - a few rows ("floors") icons. Entrance to the sanctuary is allowed only to the clergy, clergymen - men and women - nuns and through the north and south doors, built-in firewall. Clergy in certain mo ¬ ments

of worship is the altar and leaves it through the "Royal Doors" at the center. The altar Naho ¬ dyatsya: the throne - in the center, right in front of the gates of royal ¬ E, the high place - between the throne and the front wall of the altar, the altar - to the left (North - East) chastialtarya.

The throne is a rectangular table covered ("dressed") by two layers of fabric. It includes: the elite (rectangular linen or silk, random ¬ zhaschaya wrapping antiminsa) - symbolizes pla ¬ schanitsu (sheet), which was wrapped about the body of Christ II after having been taken down from the cross, corporal (Greek - "instead of a table" ) - the fabric with the image of Christ lying in the coffin, and sewn into it the relics of a saint - on it and hold services, monstrance - a vessel that holds the spare Holy Gifts (bread and wine, the transubstantiation of the body and blood of Christ); Cross and the Gospel.

High place - a protuberance with installed Chair (Greek - a chair, a bench) bishop, he is at a certain point of worship.

The altar table right ¬ coal, closed, as the throne, a cloth on it at ¬ hodyatsya sacred vessels (chalice, paten, etc.) used in worship. On the altar proskomedia - 1st part of the liturgy, during which ministers prepare bread and wine for the Eucharist.

Temple may have two, three or more altars, which in ¬ out to be aisles and to the left and right of the main altar, or more advanced in it (the church) the middle part.

The middle part of the temple is: directly along the iconostasis - sole, ie, the elevation at the altar, is ¬ scheesya like its continuation. On the left (north) and the right (south) end of the solea - choirs, where usually Naho ¬ dyatsya singing (voices) and readers. Pulpit - part solea opposite the Royal Gates, launched a semi-circle in the middle of the church - with him during the service the priest delivers a sermon, and the deacon - intones the litany (petitions) and reads the Gospel.

Porch - the last, the most western part of the church, usually separated from the middle part of the wall. In ancient times, allowed non-Christians here who want to hear the Word of God.

The temples are divided into parochial, cathedral, where the constant is the ruling bishop of the diocese (usually called the cathedral), and stavropegic - are under the direct authority of the Patriarch and the Holy Synod.

Orthodox ceremonies and celebrations

Ceremonies and celebrations are important in Orthodoxy. With this view of man is connected only to the characteristic of Christianity the concept of "mystery" - a special cult of action to actually enter the divine in human life. During the sacraments, according to the teachings of the church, the faithful coming off a special grace.

In Orthodoxy, is generally considered the seven sacraments (rituals)

baptism;

anointing;

Repentance;

Communion;

priesthood;

wedding;

Unction (anointing).

Baptism - the sacrament in which the believer with threefold immersion of the body in the water with the invocation of God the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit becomes a spiritual birth.

In the sacrament of anointing the believer serves the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to return and strengthen the spiritual life.

Sacrament of Penance or Confession - a recognition of their sins to a priest, who let them in the name of Jesus Christ.

In the sacrament of communion religious guise of bread and wine tastes the very Body and Blood of Christ for eternal life.

Accomplished through the sacrament of Holy Orders in the construction of the episcopal ordination of a person to the rank of priest. Right to perform this sacrament belongs only to the bishop.

In the sacrament of the wedding, which takes place in the church, blessed the marital union of the bride and groom.

In the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction) for anointing the body with oil called into the patient grace of God, healing mental and physical infirmities.

It should be noted that all of these practices were known in pre-Christian times, but Christianity is filled their deeper meaning. The general meaning of the Christian sacraments is that under the guise of the rite, a tangible action to present invisible, mystical gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus, it makes sense not rite in itself, but only in the unity of the visible and invisible (spiritual).

Sacred gesture that is an inherent part of the Orthodox Christian is a sign of the cross. The mass use of it appeared in the VII century. Sign of the Cross is a movement of the right hand turn: the forehead - the middle of his chest - both arms (right to left), the Catholics - from left to right, and the cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ and the Holy Cross. In Orthodoxy sign of the cross is made with three fingers folded, the Old Believers - two, the Catholics - all fingers open hand, Protestants do not use the sign of the cross at all. In Orthodoxy, allows you to make the sign of the cross with his left hand the sick and crippled.

At the head of the annual cycle of Orthodox holidays is Easter - Easter Sunday. It is set in honor of the resurrection of Christ on the third day after his crucifixion. We know that Jesus Christ was put to death on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, and the next day after Easter the coffin was empty. The old Hebrew name - Easter - was retained because this holiday to keep the first Christians were Jews. Feast of Easter has strictly fixed day of celebration, the decision was taken at the first Ecumenical Council in 325 Christian Easter falls on the first Sunday of the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Easter opens the liturgical year in the Orthodox Church, and Easter is the first of the 12 most important Orthodox holidays. They are called the great feast of the (origin of the name of the number 12), which consist of "transient" and "timeless".

1. Transient holidays do not have a fixed date and is calculated from the celebration of Easter. By passing, except Easter are two holidays - Ascension Day and Pentecost:

Ascension. This festival is established in honor of Christ's ascension to heaven on the 40th day after his resurrection. Before his ascension, Jesus was to his students. Celebrated on Thursday of the sixth week after Easter.

Pentecost (also called "Pentecost"). Established in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit, what happened on the 50th day after Easter. This day is the day of the

founding of the Christian church. Celebrated on Sunday seven weeks after Passover.

2. Timeless holiday, respectively, fall on a specific number of months. These include: Nativity of the Virgin, Exaltation of the Cross, Presentation in the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christmas, Epiphany, Candlemas, the Annunciation, the Transfiguration, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

Nativity of the Virgin (September 21). Born of the Virgin Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ - in a family of pious righteous Ionima and Anna. This day is honored as "the beginning of salvation."

Exaltation of the Cross - krestovozdvizhenie (September 27). Establishment of a holiday involves finding during excavations in the IV. the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The holiday symbolizes the redemption of the sins of the world through Jesus' suffering on the Cross.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4). According to legend, Mary, Mother of the future, in infancy brought to the Jerusalem temple for the rite of consecration to God. This rite existed only for boys, so devoted to the girl was a sign of higher Chosen.

Christmas (in Orthodoxy is celebrated January 7). Although the exact date of Christ's birth is not established, modern researchers call 7.6 years. BC, as today, just a date for the death of King Herod the Great - 4th BC And we remember that it was he commanded to destroy all the children in the vicinity of the town of Bethlehem, in the hope that some of them would be the Christ.

Epiphany (January 19). As stated in the Scriptures, Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Prophet, that is, took the ritual cleansing bath, symbolizing the beginning of his ministry to God. The Greek word "baptisma" - "bath" - translated into Slavic as "baptism" because it is believed that Jesus sanctified ritual bath by his death on the cross.

Candlemas (February 15 - on the 40th day after Christmas). This festival is put in the IV. in memory of the remarkable event. Brought the baby Jesus to the Temple for the traditional dedication to God, where he met with the elder Simeon, who had previously been predicted that it will see during the life of the Savior. As written by the evangelist Luke, Simeon blessed Jesus.

Annunciation (April 7). Is celebrated as the day that the Virgin Mary appeared to the angel Gabriel and told that she would bear the Son of God.

Transfiguration (August 19). During prayer on Mount Tabor Jesus was transfigured by the divine light, and the apostles Peter, John and James saw Christ surrounded by Moses and Elijah.

Assumption (28 August). Celebrated in memory of the death of the Virgin. It is believed that her death was about 48 in the city of Ephesus, where John the Evangelist (one of the Apostles) lived after the death of Jesus.

These are the twelve great feasts. In addition to honoring these are the so-called Great Holidays:

Circumcision of Our Lord (January 14);

St. John the Baptist (July 7);

Day Apostles Peter and Paul (July 12) - in memory of their martyrdom in the persecution under Emperor Nero in 64;

Beheading of St John the Baptist (11 September);

Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary (October 14) is established in memory of the Mother of God, the phenomenon that occurred in the middle of the tenth century. in Constantinople, in Vlaherna church, where he kept a robe of the Virgin.

The importance attached to the Orthodox Church positions. Fasting is usually preceded by major church feasts. The essence of the post - this is the "purification and renewal of the human soul", the preparation for an important event of the religious life. Large multi-day positions in Russian Orthodoxy four: before Easter, before the day of Peter and Paul, in front of the Assumption and before Christmas.

Catholic church

Catholic churches usually proclaim ¬ dyatsya based on having the shape of a cross. This form is for ¬ Ranks remind the redemptive sacrifice of Christ. Sometimes churches are built in the shape of a ship, as if I cause ¬ schego people to the quiet harbor of the Kingdom of Heaven. ¬ are used in church architecture, and other symbols, including the circle - a symbol of eternity of God - and the star (usually eight ¬ gon) - heavenly body that specifies the path to human perfection.

General arrangement differs from the Catholic churches of the Orthodox that the main part of their faces to the West. At home prayer Catholics also usually turn to

the West, which symbolizes the recognition ¬ tion is located in the western part of Europe, Rome, the capital of Christianity ¬ ined space, and the bishop of the city - the Pope - the head of the Christian church.

By tradition, the Catholic Church of the altar, and to do it the sacrament of Communion is open to all the priests present. The dominant element of a cult in the Catholic Church are the sculptures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin, the saints. However, in all Catholic churches on the walls can be seen fourteen icons representing the various stages of "Way of the Cross of the Lord."

Holy See of the Catholic Church allowed mustache ¬ tanavlivat several, three sides of the temple - the west, south and north of its walls.

Thrones is more chemv Orthodox churches are open to the eyes attend ¬ ing, because they have no iconography.

Absent in Catholic churches and special altars for making the Blessed Sacrament in the Orthodox altars.

The icons in the Catholic churches are regarded as in Orthodox, but the nature of the western, mostly Italian, painting different from Byzantine. In Western iconography more elegant exterior form, but at the expense of less strictly maintained purely Christian idea. Ethereal world of saints depicted in it more like Earth, with all its turmoil and suffering.

Catholic rites and holidays

Catholics honor, mostly, the same Christ and Bogoro ¬ dichnye holidays as Orthodox, but say they are not in the Julian and Gregorian (new style), so the celebration - Miscellaneous.

Concerning religious fasts, we note that the Roman Church ka ¬ systolic long departed from the initial severity of their conduct. During Lent Catholics resolution ¬ creases to eat fish, milk, eggs and butter. In addition, the post exempt entire groups on different grounds.

The number of posts in the strict Catholicism tended to decrease, a strict fast is observed at the beginning of Lent, the Friday before Easter and on the eve of giving birth ¬ properties. Limited by the requirement to abstain from eating meat. It remains practically only to Friday. Provided that the believer will read five appointed priest prayers, he gets the right not to ¬ Stith these days. Changed considerably and requirements for conducting ¬ believers during Lent. Not

prohibited visited ¬ schenie theaters and other places of entertainment, Provo ¬ Denia feasts about birthdays, etc.

Advent for Catholics (Advent) starts on the first Sunday after the day of St. Andrew - November 30.

Christmas - the most solemn holiday. It is celebrated with three worship services: at midnight, at dawn, and the day that symbolizes the birth of Christ in the bosom of the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God in the soul of the believer. On this day in churches put the baby crib with a figure of Christ for worship ¬ tion. Christmas is celebrated on December 25.

On Christmas dinner would eat consecrated goose, bread, desserts with mandatory addition ¬ eat honey and almonds, which was believed to "major cath ¬ faces" - the Italians, promote the well-being of the family, as well as improve soil fertility and increase pogo ¬ lovya cattle .

In many Catholic countries traditionally on Roj ¬ identity holds geese, turkeys, jellied pig roast pigs ¬ tion head, capon, black pudding, etc.

God ¬ phenomenon Catholics called the Three Kings holiday - in memory of the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and worship Him ¬ nenii three kings. On this day in temples are made thanksgiving: Jesus Christ bring in Jer ¬ TSS as king - gold, as God - incense, as a person - myrrh, fragrant oil.

Catholics have a few spe ¬ ic Holidays: Holiday Heart of Jesus - sim ¬ ox hope for salvation, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8).

One of the major Marian feasts - Assumption of the Virgin - on 15th auto ¬ dense (the Orthodox - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin).

Feast of All Souls (November 2), established in memory of the deceased. Prayer for them, according to Catholic doctrine ¬ Ceska, reduces length of stay and the suffering souls in purgatory.

Sacrament of the Eucharist (communion) Ka ¬ systolic Church calls Corpus Christi. Celebrate it on the first Thursday after Trinity.

In Catholicism, along with Christian rites, with ¬ kept many customs associated with the ancient fertility cult obligatory feature of which is food. Ritual meal follows the family and calendar holidays. This includes eating the first fruits of the new harvest - pervinkov and funeral meals, and ample entertainment in specific

transitional periods of the year - New Year's Eve, for example, the characters coming out ¬ biliya in the future.

Christmas is preceded by lengthy post, which ends Sochel ¬ nickname. For example, in Italy, according to tradition, dinner on this day lent. On Christmas Eve, the table must be Catholics seven dishes: lentils, white beans, chickpeas, beans and honey, ¬ ka empty, rice cooked in almond jelly, pasta with sardines and a walnut sauce. Oba remained ¬ serve tea on Christmas Eve for dinner acne or dishes tres ¬ ki, oysters and other seafood.

The celebration of the New Year many features akin to Christmas. Guests are treated to a pizza hostess, dry fi ¬ nicknames and baked beans. For example, from ancient times to the Ita ¬ Lee on New Year eating dried grapes in clusters, con ¬ diterskie products with honey and nuts, lentil soup, hard-boiled eggs. At the same time, the Catholic Poles on New Year's table must attend 12 courses, and excludes meat ¬ Xia. Certainly fried carp or jellied carp, ¬ tion mushroom soup (borscht), broken, barley porridge with prunes, Klets ¬ ki with butter and poppy seeds. For dessert - chocolate cake.

Ritual meal is accompanied by other Catholic ¬ skie Holidays associated with the annual cycle of agri ¬ tural work, and of course, a very special time for that matter - spring. No accident that this period is timed holding pagan in its meaning car-bulk, similar Russian Shrovetide.

The main directions of Protestantism

As already noted, Protestantism is a complex religious education, including a large number of destinations. Beginning in the XVI century., The formation of new Christian churches has not ended to this day. Naturally, opposed itself to the Roman Catholic Church, in developing their faith and Protestantism are various ways of implementing new ideas. Historically, the first course in Protestantism is Lutheran.

Lutheran (Protestant) Church. Formed under the influence of Martin Luther. Lutheranism acknowledges Tsar grad-Nicene Creed has its doctrinal books - "Augsburg Confession" (1530), Luther's catechisms, "Book of Concord" (1580). Holy book revered only the Bible. The basic principle of Lutheranism - "justification by faith" in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Sacraments of Lutheranism recognizes only baptism and communion. The most widely spread

Lutheranism in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, USA. Many Lutheran parishes located in Russia. Today, there are about 80 million followers of the Protestant.

Calvinism. Calvinism (Reformed Presbyterian Church), as well as Lutheran, is one of the earliest forms of Protestantism. Decisive role in shaping it played religious concept of Calvin (1509-1564 gg.).

Calvinism denies Compulsory faith. The only holy book is the Bible, but very popular, "Institutes of the Christian faith" (1536-1559 gg.), "Church setting", "Geneva Catechism" (1545) and other works of Calvin. In Calvinism does not recognize such religious items as icons, candles and a cross. Baptism and Communion for Calvinists - no more than a symbolic rites. Of great importance is the concept of predestination in Calvinism.

Admittedly researchers Calvinism strongly reformed Catholic faith, was the most radical trend in Protestantism.

Calvinism is widespread in France, the Netherlands, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the USA, Canada, Australia. Calvinism of its kind so separated as Congregationalism.

In today's world, there are about 55 million Calvinists.

Church of England. Formed by giving official status to English Protestant kingdom. Creed of Anglicanism is a document titled "39 Articles" (1571). As in other areas of Protestantism rejected Tradition, Sacred Scripture and is revered as the source of doctrine. The head of the Church of England is the king or queen. In contrast to Lutheranism and Calvinism in Anglicanism combines provisions on personal salvation by faith to the situation of the saving role of the church, the clergy kept hierarchy and the priests themselves are regarded as intermediaries between God and man.

Anglicanism over other Protestant churches incorporated the Catholic tradition (Church hierarchy, saying mass).

Except for the UK, this trend is common in Scotland, the USA, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Canada, Australia, that is, in countries that were once part of the British Empire. Number of Anglicans in the world - about 58.5 million people.

Baptists appeared in XVII century in England. Basis of Faith Baptist - the Bible. Faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice is sufficient for salvation. Believes is the only one whom God has chosen. Of particular importance in the doctrine of

baptism becomes a "spiritual rebirth" due to the impact of human input in the "Holy Spirit", which means unity of the spirit of each believer with Jesus Christ.

In practice baptism sacrament of baptism and communion as symbolic rites of spiritual union with Christ. Baptism is an act of conscious reference to faith. A distinctive feature is the rite of baptism katehimenta (approximation) before baptism and joining the community, "approximate" are one year trial period.

Ritual and cult practices baptism different modesty nenapyschennostyu. House of worship is not fundamentally different from its secular counterpart, are also absent cult objects.

Baptism is one of the most common forms of Protestantism in the world and, in particular, in Russia. The number of followers of the Baptists today reaches 72 million people.

Adventism. Adventism origin must Baptism of which stood out in the early 30-ies of the XIX century.

Adventism is waiting feature soon coming of Jesus Christ. As part of an original Adventist eschatological concept - the belief that the destruction of the world is coming soon, after which the new earth will be created and installed the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ. Man, according to the teachings of the Adventist dies and physically, and spiritually. But only the righteous will be resurrected - the followers of Adventism. At the end of the reign of Christ will be resurrected also nepravedniki, but only to serve the righteous.

The most commonly accepted trend called "Seventh-day Adventists," which made a number of new provisions. The first clause declares the celebration of the seventh day (Saturday). Second - "health reform" predugotovlenie body to resurrection. In the latter case, the ban on consumption of pork, tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol.

Church "Seventh Day Adventist" strengthens its position in the world and is rapidly developing in Russia. In today's world, there are 16 million Adventists.

Пятидесятничество.Пятидесятничество is another major area of Protestantism. According to the New Testament (the book "Acts of the Apostles"), on the fiftieth day after the death of Christ on the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, and then they have the ability to prophesy and speak different languages. Pentecostals close in doctrine and ritual of Baptism, but emphasize the possibility of direct

mystical communion with God. Pentecostals believe in what you can get the gift of prophecy, like the Apostles, to each member of their church. The number of Pentecostals in the world is coming, according to some estimates, to 119 million.

The above are the largest Protestant trends. There are many trends, such as the Mennonites, Unitarians, Moravians, Quakers, Mormons, and etc. In the modern world there are some (fairly widespread) branch of Protestantism, which in its doctrine so strongly moved away from traditional Christianity, can hardly claim to be Christian - it is the Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.

Protestant Bible

Unified Protestant Bible does not exist: all Protestant Bible are translations made in the XVI century. during or after the Reformation. Even the King James Bible (KingJamesVersion) have not acquired the status of an official translation of the Anglican Church, though it is often referred to as the formal approval and transfer (AuthorizedVersion).

In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church did not encourage the Vulgate translation of the fear that the church leadership without text can be distorted or that the words of the Bible may be falsely understood. However, the Protestant reformers in the XVI. believed that God in the Bible refers to the right person and that reading and studying the Bible - the right and the duty of every Christian.

Translations were needed in order to give the Bible to most Christians, for whom Latin was a dead language. "As people reflect on the fact that they can not understand?" - Asks one of the translators in the preface to the King James Bible. Reformers were not the first translator of the Bible (after the invention of printing, and until Luther Bible in German was released 17 books in German). Protestant reformers or facilitate the translation, or they themselves undertook the translation of the Bible into the languages of their countries. The basis they took no Vulgate and Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. In the early 20-ies of the XVI century. Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German, Jacobus Faber - in French, and William Tindal - in English. Translation of the Old Testament were made by the same translators, but in the next decade. Since then has been published many Protestant translations.

Protestant ceremonies and holidays

The most important element of the cult of many Protestant churches is the breaking of bread. Most often, this is a series of ¬ as part of the more extensive "Making of Christ" - the Lord's Supper, Prayer ¬ tion meetings held once a month. Communion consists of two steps - breaking and distribution of Communion bread and wine or fruit juice. The basis is a series of ritual texts for the New Testament "recollections ¬ naniya" suffering of Jesus Christ. According to the Word of God ¬, "bread is broken," is a symbol of the body of the Lord, ¬ th battered, bruised and disfigured for the sins of the people, and the wine - a symbol of the blood of the Lord, also streamed over the Greek chi ¬. Communion are only allowed to those who have already passed the rite of baptism.

In some Protestant churches ¬ skih Communion precedes the rite of foot washing. ¬ vaniem basis of this ceremony are the lines from the Gospel of John ¬ on: "... if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" (13:14). This rite ¬ rected to the fact that believers show their "humility and love for each other." It is held at the end of the prayer meeting follows. In the presence of pots ¬ Vaeth water, and they line up believers: First wash your feet a second, the second - the third and the last wash the feet first, what is usually the clergy. Water and towels are changed periodically.

In our country, this rite Christians commit ¬ Gaelic gospel faith.

Almost all streams of Protestantism missing for ¬ ists, so characteristic of Orthodoxy, but there is no special division to write lean and perilous.

In the major Protestant denominations - Lutheran, en ¬ glikanstve, Calvinism and Methodism - no rules ¬ tion supply, reference to the prohibition of certain pro ¬ products or methods of cooking. Therefore, during the few religious holidays (eg, birth ¬ identities), the differences in the ritual meal called the Protestant churches in different countries due na ¬ tional food features. However, in some currents of Protestantism food traditions are considered important. First, it refers to the Adventist ¬ seventh day there and the Quakers.

One of the most important holidays in a number of Protestant denominations (Baptists, Evangelicals, Adventists, etc.) - The harvest festival is celebrated in September. This is about modern Hebrew holiday ¬ HYDRATED end agricultural work. In the Old Testament book of "Exodus" (23:16) says: "The observation ¬ let and holiday harvest, the firstfruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field, and the feast of ingathering ... when Uba ¬ resh with your field work." The modern

holiday va ¬ tain understood as literally - harvesting, and figurative - summing up the annual activity of God on the field, that is missionary.

Evangelical Christians-Baptists in the former USSR ¬ th celebrate unity, another reminder of the history of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.

A brief chronology of the estimated development of Christianity

early I century AD the emergence of Christianity as a religion of self-

'64 First persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire by the Emperor Nero

In 313 an edict of Emperor Constantine I the termination

persecution of Christians

325, the first ecumenical council adopted the Nicene Creed

381 by the Second Ecumenical Council has developed a formula of the Trinity of God, canonized the Nicene Creed

392, the prohibition of the pagan cult of the emperor FeodisiemI;

Christianity became the state religion of Rome

395 division of the Roman Empire into East and West

431 Third Ecumenical Council condemned the Nestorian

451 Fourth Ecumenical Council condemned monofisitov

457 appointment of Archbishop of Georgia

680 -

681 years. Sixth Ecumenical Council condemned for monofelistov

787, was the seventh ecumenical council

857 deposed Byzantine Emperor Michael III Patriarch Ignatius, the enthronement of Patriarch Photios;

The confrontation between the papacy and patriarchy

988 Baptism of Kievan Rus Prince Volodymyr

1054 the division of Christianity into Orthodoxy and Catholicism

1095 -

1270's. crusades against Orthodox

In 1448 to form an independent (autocephalous)

Russian Orthodox Church

1517 speech by Martin Luther from 95 theses against indulgences

1545 -

1563's. work Triedentskogo Cathedral, during which

The Roman Church has condemned Protestantism

1562 final shape of the Anglican Church

1648 final division of Catholicism into Catholics and Protestants

1965 removal of the mutual anathemas Pope Paul VI

and Patriarch AfinagoromI

TREE OF RELIGIONS

Christianity

Orthodoxy

• Actually Orthodoxy *

o Autonomous Orthodox Church *

Orthodox Church of Constantinople (Turkey, USA, Germany and other countries)

The Finnish Orthodox Church

Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Egypt, Kenya and other African countries)

Antiochian Orthodox Church (Syria, Lebanon)

Jerusalem Orthodox Church (Jordan, Palestine, Israel)

Sinai Orthodox Church (Egypt)

The Russian Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate

The Belarusian Orthodox Church

The Japanese Orthodox Church

The Georgian Orthodox Church

The Serbian Orthodox Church

Romanian Orthodox Church

Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Orthodox Church of Cyprus

Ecumenical [Greek] Orthodox Church

The Albanian Orthodox Church

Polish Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia

The Orthodox Church in America (USA)

o The Orthodox Church is not recognized by other Orthodox churches *

The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (USA, Canada and other countries)

Free Russian Orthodox Church (Russia and other CIS countries)

True Orthodox Church (Russia)

True Orthodox Christians (Russia and other CIS countries)

True Orthodox Christians Silent (Russia)

The main link of Christ (Ukraine)

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kiev Patriarchate

The Russian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate

Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

American karpatorosskaya orthodox Greek-Catholic Church (USA)

Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

The Macedonian Orthodox Church

True Orthodox Church of Greece, adhering to the old style

The Orthodox Catholic Church of the Americas

• Old Believers (Russia and other CIS countries)

o Popovtsev

Edinoverie church

Russian Orthodox Old Believers' Church [Belokrinitskaya hierarchy]

Russian Old Orthodox Church

Andreevtsy

Klimentovtsy

o bespopovtsev

Chapel agreement

Pomortsev

fedoseevtsy

Filippovtsy

Spasovtsy

Runners

Dyrniki

Skrytniki

Melchizedek

Luzhkovtsy

True Orthodox Christians traveling

• Marginal sect broke away from Orthodoxy * (Russia and other CIS countries)

o Spiritual Christians

Whips

fasters *

Old Israel *

Shaloputy *

Novohlysty *

Mormons Christian spiritual direction *

New Israel *

The new union of spiritual Israel *

redeemed Israel *

Novohristiansky Union *

Malevantsy

one faith community

eunuchs

Doukhobors (Russia and other CIS countries, Canada, USA)

Molokans

Spiritual Christians abstainers

teetotaler

o Other marginal sect broke away from Orthodoxy *

loannite

Fedorovtsev

Nikolaev

Imyaslavtsy

loannite

Innokentevtsy

Petrovtsy

Marian Center

Tolstoyanism

The Church of Leo Tolstoy

Jehovah's Witnesses-Ilintsy

Sabbathians

Catholicism *

• The Roman Catholic Church

o Latin Rite Catholics (most countries of the world)

o Eastern-rite Catholics

Greek Catholics - Melkite (Syria, Lebanon, USA)

Greek Catholics - Greeks (Greece)

Greek Catholics - Albanian (Albania)

Greek Catholics - Italo-Albanians (Italy)

Greek Catholics - Bulgaria (Bulgaria)

Greek Catholics - Croatia (Croatia)

Greek Catholics - Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Greek Catholics - Subcarpathian Ruthenians (Ukraine)

Greek Catholics - Ukrainians (Ukraine, Poland)

Greek Catholics - Belarusian (Poland, Belarus)

Greek Catholics - Russian (Russia)

Greek Catholics - Romania (Romania)

Greek Catholics - Hungary (Hungary)

Greek Catholics - Georgian (Georgia)

Chaldeans (Iraq)

Syro-Malabars (India)

Syro-Catholics (Iraq, Syria)

Syro-malankartsy (India)

The Maronites (Lebanon, USA)

Catholic Copts (Egypt)

Ethiopians Catholics (Eritrea, Ethiopia)

Armenian Catholics (USA, Syria, Lebanon, Georgia)

Nerimskie Catholics

Conservative Catholics

Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church

American Orthodox Catholic Church * (Argentina)

Mexican Catholic Apostolic Orthodox Church *

Gallican Catholic Apostolic Church * (France)

The old Romanesque Catholic church in France *

Old Catholic Church of Poland * mariavitskaya

African Legion of Mary [Legion of Mary] (Kenya)

The National Catholic Apostolic Church * (Philippines)

Old Catholics

Old Catholic Church in Germany *

Old Catholic Church in Austria *

Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland *

Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands *

Polish National Catholic Church of America * (USA)

Polish National Catholic Church *

Reformed Catholic

Philippine Independent Church

The Czechoslovak Hussite Church

Anglo-Roman Church *

Free Protestant Episcopal Church * (UK)

Free Protestant Episcopal Church * (Nigeria)

African Orthodox Church * (Zimbabwe)

African Orthodox Church in the Republic of South Africa *

The Catholic Church, led by independent bishops [epissorivagantes] *

Catholic Apostolic Orthodox Church of the East [Alouette-Pessac, Gironde] * (France)

Mixed independent main parish [East - West Beemskoe missionary Abbey] * (France)

• Marginal Catholicism *

o The Apostolic Catholic

The Catholic Apostolic Church (Germany, UK)

New Apostolic Church (Germany, South Africa and other countries)

o Liberal Catholics

The Orthodox Catholic Church of France *

Autocephalous Gallican Catholic Church * (France)

Gnostic Apostolic Church * (France)

The Liberal Catholic Church * (USA)

• Protestantism

Anglicanism

Anglican churches belonging to the Anglican Communion *

The Church of England

The Church in Wales

Scottish Episcopal Church [Episcopal Church in Scotland]

Church of Ireland

The Anglican Church in Europe * (number of European countries)

The Anglican Church of Canada

The Episcopal Church in the United States [of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA]

The Church in the West Indies * (Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and other countries)

Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil *

The Anglican Church of Australia

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia [ex. Church of the province of New Zealand]

Church Province of Melanesia * (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu)

The Anglican Church of Papua - New Guinea *

Church Province of the Indian Ocean * (Madagascar and other countries)

Church Province of South Africa

Church Province of Central Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi)

Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo * (Democratic Republic of Congo)

The Protestant Episcopal Church of the province of Burundi *

Episcopal Province of Rwanda *

The Church in the Province of Tanzania

The Anglican Church of Kenya [ex. Church Province of Kenya]

The Church of Uganda

Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan [Episcopal Church of Sudan]

The Anglican Church of Nigeria [ex. Church Province of Nigeria]

Church Province of West Africa * (Ghana and other countries)

Church Province of Southeast Asia * (Malaysia)

Philippine Episcopal Church *

The Anglican Church of Korea *

Anglican churches outside the Anglican Communion *

Church of Christ in Africa * (Kenya)

Church luoNomiyya [given me the word of God] * (Kenya)

Indian Anglican Church Missionary Society of the Church *

The Church of England in South Africa *

o Lutheran

The United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany

Church of the Augsburg Confession of Alsace and Lorraine

People's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark

The Church of Sweden

Norwegian Church

National Church of Iceland

The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary

The Slovak Evangelical Church

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania

Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland *

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Central Asia

One of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria (Russia)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [1988] (U.S.)

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (USA)

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (USA)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Canadian office *

The Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil *

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa

United Evangelical Church Namibia

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania

MekaneIesus Evangelical Church (Ethiopia)

The Lutheran Church of Christ (Nigeria)

The Malagasy Lutheran Church [Lutheran Church of Madagascar]

The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India

Batak Protestant Christian Church (Indonesia)

Indonesian Christian Church *

Indonesian Protestant Christian Church *

Niasskaya Protestant Christian Church * (Indonesia)

Simalungunskaya Protestant Christian Church * (Indonesia)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua - New Guinea

The Lutheran Church of Australia

o Calvinism

Reformatstvo

Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

The Dutch Reformed Church

Reformed Church in the Netherlands

Reformed Church [RELEASE] * (Netherlands)

Reformed Federation (Germany)

Reformed Church of France

Reformed Church in Hungary

Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia *

Reformed [Hussite] Church of Romania

Reformed Church in Carpatho-Ukraine *

Reformed Church in America (USA)

The Christian Reformed Church in North America (USA)

The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa

The Dutch Reformed Church in Africa * (South Africa)

The Dutch Reformed Church missionary * (South Africa)

The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa *

Reformed Church in South Africa *

The Evangelical Church of Lesotho *

Reformed Church in Zambia *

The Evangelical Church of Gabon *

The Evangelical Church of Cameroon

The Evangelical Church of Togo *

Karo Batak Protestant Church * (Indonesia)

Christian Church * Java (Indonesia)

The Protestant Church in Western Indonesia

Evangelical Church * in Kalimantan (Indonesia)

Christian Church * Central Sulawesi (Indonesia)

Toradzhskaya * Christian Church (Indonesia)

Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa * (Indonesia)

The Evangelical Christian Church in Sangihe and Talaude * (Indonesia)

Christian Church * Sumba (Indonesia)

The Evangelical Christian Church in Timor * (Indonesia)

Moluccan Protestant Church (Indonesia)

Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera * (Indonesia)

The Evangelical Christian Church in Irian Jaya (Indonesia)

Presbyterianism

The Church of Scotland

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Presbyterian Church of Wales

The Presbyterian Church in Canada

Presbyterian Church [USA]

The Presbyterian Church in America (USA)

Kemberlendskaya * Presbyterian Church (USA)

National Presbyterian Church of Mexico *

Peruvian Evangelical Church *

The Presbyterian Church of Brazil

The Presbyterian Church of Australia *

The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand

The Presbyterian Church of Korea [Tonghap]

The Presbyterian Church in Korea [Haptong]

Presbyterian Church [Reformed] * (Republic of Korea)

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea [Bo Su] *

The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea [Hankook] *

The Presbyterian Church of Korea [Cosin] *

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan *

The Presbyterian Church of North-East India *

The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan *

Association of Reformed Protestant Churches * (Pakistan)

The Evangelical Church of Egypt *

The Presbyterian Church in Sudan *

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana

* Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Ghana)

The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria *

Cameroon Presbyterian Church *

The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon *

Presbyterian community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo *

The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (Kenya)

The Presbyterian Church of Mozambique *

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Malawi)

* Presbyterian Church of Africa (South Africa)

The Presbyterian Church of South Africa *

* Reformed Presbyterian Church (South Africa)

Congregationalism

National Association of Christian congregational churches * (USA)

National Council of Community Churches * (USA)

The Evangelical Free Church of America (USA)

American Evangelical Church of the covenant * (USA)

Swedish missionary church covenant *

Union Welsh Independents *

Joint congregational church in South Africa *

congregational church * Zulu (South Africa)

The Evangelical Church of the Congo * (Republic of Congo)

The Protestant community of the Democratic Republic of the Congo *

Mennonitstvo

Actually Mennonites *

Association of German Mennonite communities * (Germany)

Mennonite Brethren * (Netherlands)

Mennonite Church (USA and other countries)

Mennonite Church General Conference (U.S., Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo)

fraternal Mennonite Church of North America (United States and other countries)

Brethren in Christ * (USA)

Mennonite Church (Russia and other CIS countries)

Fraternal Mennonites (Russia and other CIS countries)

Mennonite Church * (Mexico)

The Evangelical Mennonite Church in Paraguay *

Indian communal Mennonite Church *

The Evangelical Christian Church in Java * (Indonesia)

Nigerian Mennonite Church *

Community Mennonite sister churches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo *

Tanganikskayamennonitskaya Church *

The Amish

Mennonite Church Old Order Amish * (USA)

Guttertsy *

Gutterskie brothers (Canada, USA)

Methodism

Methodist Church (Great Britain and other countries)

United Methodist Church (United States and other countries)

International Church of Christ (United States and other countries)

African Methodist Episcopal Church (the U.S. and other countries)

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (United States and other countries)

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (the U.S. and other countries)

The Methodist Church of Brazil *

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa

African Methodist Episcopal Church * (South Africa)

The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe *

United Methodist Church * (Zimbabwe)

African Methodist Episcopal Church * (Zambia)

United Methodist Church of Angola *

Community United Methodist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo *

The Methodist Church in Kenya *

Methodist Church, Nigeria

The Methodist Church, Ghana *

The Protestant Methodist Church in Côte d'Ivoire *

The Korean Methodist Church

The Methodist Church in Malaysia *

United Methodist Church in the Philippines *

The Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippines *

The Methodist Church of New Zealand *

The Methodist Church in Fiji *

Salvatsionizm *

Salvation Army (USA, India, Indonesia, South Korea and many other countries)

Swedish Salvation Army *

Perfectionism

Church of the Nazarene (United States and other countries)

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (the U.S. and many other countries)

Church of God [Anderson, Indiana] (U.S., Kenya, Mexico, and other countries)

Free Methodist Church of North America (USA)

Wesleyan [vesliyanskaya] Church (USA)

Christian congregation * (USA)

Indian Association of Evangelical Churches * (Ecuador)

Korean Evangelical Holiness Church

Jesus Korean Church holiness *

The Evangelical Church of Vietnam *

Indonesian Christian Church of the New Testament Tabernacle *

Central Protestant Church of Côte d'Ivoire *

Free Methodist congregation in the eastern Democratic