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Christianity Portal

List of Christian denominations (or Denominations self-identified as Christian) ordered by historical and doctrinal relationships. (See also: Christianity; Christian denominations).

Some groups are large (e.g. Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans or Baptists), while others are just a few small churches, and in most cases the relative size is not evident in this list. Also, modern movements such as Fundamentalist Christianity, Pietism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism and the Holiness movement sometimes cross denominational lines, or in some cases create new denominations out of two or more continuing groups (as is the case for many United and uniting churches, for example). Such subtleties and complexities are not clearly depicted here. Additionally, some groups viewed by non-adherents as denominational actively resist being called a "denomination" and do not have any formal denominational structure, authority, or record-keeping beyond the local congregation; several groups within Restorationism fall into this category.

This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity that exists among denominations of Christianity. Some links may point to non-existent articles. There are approximately 300 branches listed here. According to one source, there are, in all, approximately 38,000 Christian denominations.^[1]

Between denominations, theologians and comparative religionists, there are considerable disagreements about which groups can be properly called Christian. These disagreements rise primarily from doctrinal differences between groups. For the purpose of simplicity, this list is intended to reflect the self-understanding of each denomination. Explanations about different opinions concerning their status as Christian denominations can be found at their respective articles.

Major divisions within Christianity. The different width of the lines (thickest for "Protestantism" and thinnest for "Oriental Orthodox" and "Nestorians") is without objective significance.

Main articles: Roman Catholic Church and Primacy of the Roman Pontiff

The Latin Rite or Church^[2] is the largest and most widely known of the 23 Rites of the Catholic Church. In the past, Catholics in France and Germany have claimed a measure of ecclesial independence from Rome (see Febronianism, Gallicanism), but not to the extent of forming Churches distinct from the Roman Catholic Church as a whole (as happened with the Church of England) or even from the Latin Church.

All of the following are particular churches of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the pope of Rome and acknowledge his claim of universal jurisdiction and authority. They have some minor distinct theological emphases and expressions concerning, for instance, in the case of those that are of Greek (Byzantine) tradition some aspects of the Latin depiction of purgatory.^[3]

The Roman Catholic Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.^[4]

Main articles: Anglicanism, Anglican Communion

(In order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.)

The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

It considers that the Oriental Orthodox Church has the same qualifications save the misinterpretation and misunderstanding that occurred due to mainly political rather than dogmatic reasons in the fifth century that caused the separation of the One, Holy and Catholic Church of God, hopping in a reunion in the near future to heal the separated brothers of the same faith.

It also considers that the Roman Catholic Church is Apostolic in its nature and a sister Church that has separated itself from the One Holy and Catholic Church of God due to the insistence that the office Bishop of Rome is considered above all other patriarchal office by considering that the title of Pope is of a higher authority that all other four patriarchs of the ancient patriarchates and the only successor of Christ through the misinterpreted supreme apostolicity of Saint Peter.

The Eastern Orthodox Church does, however, acknowledge a superiority of honor but not of jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, as first among equal in honor.

Oriental Orthodoxy was formed in the fifth century by Christians who did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). It is historically related to Eutychian Monophysitism, and other denominations typically call these churches Monophysite, but Oriental Orthodox reject this description, calling themselves Miaphysite.

The Oriental Orthodox Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded, having kept the unchanged faith and religious practices as it was from the time of the Apostles.

It also considers that the Eastern Orthodox Church has the same qualifications save the misinterpretation and misunderstanding that occurred due to mainly political rather than dogmatic reasons in the fifth century that caused the separation of the One, Holy and Catholic Church of God, hoping for a reunion in the near future to heal the separated brothers of the same faith.

It also acknowledged that the Roman Catholic Church is Apostolic in its nature i.e. in its foundation and practice and is a sister Church that has separated itself from the One Holy and Catholic Church of God due to the additional doctrinal interpretations of the orthodox faith without ecumenical synodical conference and consent and on the insistence that the office Bishop of Rome is considered above all other patriarchal office by considering that the title of Pope is of a higher authority that all other four patriarchs of the ancient patriarchates and the only successor of Christ through the misinterpreted supreme apostolicity of Saint Peter.

The Oriental Orthodox Church does, however, acknowledge a superiority of honor but not of jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, as first among equal in honor.

The Assyrian Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas. The Church did not accept the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is incorrectly referred to as Nestorianism; Assyrian Orthodox do not consider themselves Nestorians, and recent Christological agreements with the Catholic and some of the Orthodox churches have resolved this debate permanently, clearing the way for union.

• Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
• Chaldean Syrian Church of the East (in India)

Further information: Sedevacantism

• The Antiochian Catholic Church in America is theologically aligned with the Oriental Orthodox, but is not in full communion with them, primarily because it ordains women and does not impose celibacy on its bishops.

• Western Orthodox Church of America
• Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA)
• Church of Kristenism&Katholism [K&K]

• World Alliance of Reformed Churches
• Evangelical Reformed Church in America

presbyterian church in Cameroon

Main article: World Methodist Council#Members

Note: All Baptist associations are congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.

Further information: List of Baptist sub-denominations

Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.

• The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc.

• Catholic Apostolic Church
  • Restored Apostolic Mission Church
  • Old Apostolic Church
  • New Apostolic Church
    • United Apostolic Church

Main article: African Initiated Church

Main article: United and uniting churches

A Christian church based on the Old and New Testaments with insight and understanding from the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.