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.

Note: This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity among denominations of Christianity. As there are reported to be over 38,000 Christian denominations, ^[1] many of which cannot be verified to be significant, only those denominations with Wikipedia articles will be listed in order to ensure that all entries on this list are notable and verifiable.

Note: Between denominations, theologians, and comparative religionists there are considerable disagreements about which groups can be properly called Christian, disagreements arising primarily from doctrinal differences between groups. For the purpose of simplicity, this list is intended to reflect the self-understanding of each denomination. Explanations of 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.

Catholicism

Main article: Catholicism

These are the churches which claim continuity (based upon Apostolic Succession) with the church before separation into Greek or Eastern and Latin or Western. (Lutheran churches have also identified themselves as catholic on the basis of continuity in doctrine with the Early Church.)

Roman Catholic Church

Main article: Roman Catholic Church

Latin Rite

The Latin Rite or Church^[2] is the largest and most widely known of the 22 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.

Eastern Catholic Churches

Main article: Eastern Catholic Churches

All of the following are particular churches of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the Bishop 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 part of the One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.^[4]

Anglican Communion

Main article: Anglican Communion

Anglicanism has referred to itself as the via media between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

The Anglican Communion also includes the following united churches:

• Church of Bangladesh
• Church of North India
• Church of South India
• Church of Pakistan

The Anglican Communion considers itself to be part of the One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded, which also includes the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Old Catholic Church (Union of Utrecht).

Eastern Orthodox Church

Main article: Eastern Orthodox Church

See also: Eastern Orthodox Church organization and Eastern Orthodox Christian theology

List provided in order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.

The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself part of the One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

Oriental Orthodox Church

Main article: Oriental Orthodox Church

Oriental Orthodoxy comprises those Christians who did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). Other denominations often erroneously label these churches "Monophysite", however, as the Oriental Orthodox do not adhere to the teachings of Eutyches, they themselves reject this label, preferring the term Miaphysite.

The Oriental Orthodox Church considers itself part of the One Holy Catholic Orthodox and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

Assyrian Church of the East

Main article: Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas. The Church did not attend the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is incorrectly referred to as Nestorianism; Assyrian Christians 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.

Other Churches that call themselves Catholic

Roman

See also: Sedevacantism and Traditionalist Catholic

(Continuing and Independent) Anglican

Main article: Continuing Anglican movement

Orthodox

Byzantine

Oriental

• 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.
• Celtic Orthodox Church
• Malabar Independent Syrian Church

Western-Rite

• Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA)

Protestantism

Main articles: Protestantism and Protestant Reformation

See also: Protestantism by country

These are the churches which arose from the Protestant Reformation in 16th century Europe.

Diagram showing major branches and movements within Protestantism

Pre-Lutheran Protestants

Lutheranism

Main articles: Lutheranism and Martin Luther

Reformed Churches

Main article: Reformed Churches

See also: Calvinism and First Great Awakening

Presbyterianism

Main article: Presbyterianism

See also: Presbyterian polity

Congregationalist Churches

Main article: Congregational Church