Eternal India Encyclopedia

RELIGIONS

Eternal India encyclopedia

CHRISTIANITY

* The birth of Jesus divides history into B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. t After Death). * More than one-third of the world's population profess Christi- anity. * Widest spread; enjoys following in 246 countries. * CRUX IMMISS A (Latin Cross) Base stem is longer than other three arms.

Origin

: Place

Bethlehem

Founder : JESUS CHRIST Global Following : 1,869,751,440(33.5%) Global Spread

: All Continents (270 countries) : Europe, N and S America

Predominant

Nos. in {'000)

Symbol of Christian faith, represents supreme sacrifice, crucifixion of Jesus by Romans who nailed him to the Cross at Calvary.

Africa

Asia

Europe

Latin

North

Oceania Eurasia

America 443,056

America 241 , 147

22,686

, 341.208 300,383 409,653

11 1 , 618 ,

* During later part of the period there was a revival of culture in the West known as the Renaissance. Much of the part of this period sponsored by the Church. But Church also lost absolute power over political and cultural institutions. * Important theological developments of the later part of the period in the West centred around the teaching of Thomas Aquinas, known as Thomism. * During later part of period serious challenge to Church authority met with severe measures. Inquisition. Especially severe in Spain and Portugal. * Development of church architecture of the Gothic style in the West. theological developments led to Protestant movement. Western Church became divided into Protestant and Roman Catholic sections. Roman Catholic church retained centralised authority in the Bishop of Rome (known as the Pope). Protestant churches organised on national basis initially and from 17th C onwards on denominational basis. * Severe reaction to reform movement. Inquisition revived. Catholic reformation. * Approximately half of all Christians are Roman Catholic; the rest are divided among various Protestant, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. Oriental Orthodox churches mainly found in Egypt, Ethiopia, West Asia and India. * Major missionary movement launched, First by Roman Catholics, then by Protestants. Christianity spread throughout the world. North and South America and Africa became major centres of Christian population. * Serious challenge to Christianity in Europe by Enlightenment, French Revolution and Marxism. Number of persons involved in Christian activity was a very small percentage of the population. 20th C has been called “Post -Christian’ era in West. * Ecumenical Movement of 20th C revitalizes Christians and leads to co-operative action. * 20th C marked by emergence of Christians in Asia, Africa and Latin America as leaders in World Christianity. THE ORIGIN * Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem (near Jerusalem). His par- ents were Mary and Joseph. * At 30 years of age, Jesus began to preach his message in simple words in the form of stories. * He led a simple life and had a lot of love and compassion for the people. Modern Period 1500 to the Present * The Renaissance, Nationalism and

CHRONOLOGY

Early Period up to 500 A.D. * Church mainly within the Roman Empire. A few churches established outside, e.g., India. * Separation of churches outside Roman Empire during 3rd and 4th C for both theological and political reasons. * Nestorian and Jacobite churches in East Syria and Persia. Also establishment of Coptic Church in Egypt and Armenian Church in Armenia. * Christians severely persecuted by Roman government until conversion of Emperor Constantine in early 4th C. 4th & 5th C main body of Church closely related to Roman Government. Became established religion of the empire. * Main doctrines of Christian 'orthodoxy’ formulated by Ecumenical Councils. 1st was at Nicaea in 325. Christian creeds written. Nicene and Apostles. * Church highly decentralized, closely related to a variety of cultures in different regions. Efforts beginning to be made to establish central authority to counteract sectarian activity. Recognition of five Patriarchal Churches. Jerusalem (mainly honorary), Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople and Rome. Medieval Period 500 to 1500 A.D. * Church adversel affected by the disintegration of the Roman Empire. * Gradual division, finalised in the 11th C, between Eastern Church (called Eastern Orthodox Church) and Western Church. Eastern Church a loose federation of four Patriarchates with symbolic headship of Patriarch of Constantinople. Western Church consisted of the Patriarchate of Rome. * Eastern Church flourished during early part of period under glories of Byzantine Empire. * Western Church suffered serious setbacks during early part of period. Because of the political and cultural anarchy of the times, they were known as the 'Dark Ages.' * Much of territory previously dominated by Christians came under Islamic rule during 7th & 8th C. * Conflict between Christendom and Islam constant during the period, but especially intense during the time when Western rulers launched a series of crusades (11th through 15th C) for the purpose of regaining Christian control over the holy sites in Palestine. * During later part of the period Eastern Church increasingly overwhelmed by Islam, culminating in the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. * Russia converted to Christianity. Russian Orthodox Church largest Eastern Church.