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The Christian Religion |
The Christian religion is the largest religion in the world practiced as religion of the state in almost 15 countries. The religion in the common usage is called as Christianity and its followers amounts to almost a third of the total world population. Christianity revolves around the life and teachings of Jesus Christ who was born on the 25th December to Virgin Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Jesus Christ is referred to as the Son of God who had come to the world to relieve his followers and disciples of the evils and ills. There are several fables, legends and stories associated with the life of Christ. These have been compiled and translated in numerous languages all over the world and continue to inspire the old and the young alike. Christmas Day is one such occasion when these fables are read out and told to the younger members of the family by their elders and this tradition follows everywhere.
History and origin of Christianity:
The history of Christianity dates back to the times when Jesus Christ began preaching to his disciples and the 12 apostles. He emerged as a Savior who taught to the world through his disciples, the difference between the right and the wrong and managed to establish firm belief in GOD amidst his subjects. Those were the times of ambiguity, chaos and non -believers and lot of evil was happening all around. To alleviate his subjects of all sins, Jesus Christ happily sacrificed himself by being crucified on a Roman cross to rise on the 3rd day of his Crucifixion. He remained with his disciples for the next 40 days, preaching and teaching his lessons to his followers before finally ascending to heaven.
Christianity first started as a religion in Israel around 1st century AD and soon spread to Armenia, Ethiopia, Georgia and the Roman Empire before branching out to the other corners of the world.
Branches of Christianity:
Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Protestant Church comprise of the main branches of Christianity.
Christianity and Bible:
The most sacred book for all Christians, The Bible, is a compilation of Christian religious writings. It is comprised of the Old Testament and the New Testament. There are several version of the Bible namely the Jewish Bible or the Tanakh, the Christian Bible as well as the Hebrew Bible. The three variations display some changes in each, although the inherent meaning and message remains the same. The Jewish Bible is a set of the teachings as mentioned in the Old Testament. The Christian Bible is a collection of the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as specific other texts that were not accepted into the Tanakh. The 3 distinct parts Torah, Prophets and the Writings together comprise the Hebrew Bible. It is believed that the Bible is available in 2,454 languages all across the world.
World famous Churches:
Some world famous churches and cathedrals that one could visit to offer prayers and spend time in solace are:
- Canterbury Cathedral, England
- Chartres, France
- Church of Christ and blessed Mary the Virgin, Durham (England)
- Cologne Cathedral, Germany
- Imperial Cathedral, Germany
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York
- St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome
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