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==Synopsis== Although there is only one universal Christian [[Church]], there are tens of thousands of [[Christian]] denominations or churchesbranches of Christianity. These denominations have formed and divided since the time of [[Christ]], because Christians have had differences in beliefs and practices. Some of the main groups include [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and the [[Protestant churches]] and [[Pentecostal churches]]. ==Contents== {{topics}}* [[Denominations Index]]* [[Assyrian Church branches of the East]] | [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] | [[Eastern Oriental Church]] | [[Roman Catholic Church]] and [[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches]] | [[Protestant Church]] | [[Pentecostal Church]]* [[Church]]* [[Church history]] {{opinions}}* [[An overview of the main denominations and the history of the Christian Church (G.G.)]] {{quotes}} ==Main article== Although there is only one universal Christian [[Church]], there Christianity are tens of thousands of [[Christian]] referred to as denominations or churches. These denominations have formed and divided since the time of [[Christ]], because Christians have had differences in beliefs and practices. Some of the main groups include [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and the [[Protestant churches]] and [[Pentecostal churches]].

The Eastern Orthodox Church is a body of Christians that claims origins extending directly back to [[Jesus]] and his [[Apostles]] through unbroken [[Apostolic Succession]]. Its doctrines were formalized through a series of church councils in the following centuries. Toward the end of its first thousand years of existence differences developed between the Church in the Eastern and Western Roman Empire that ultimately led to the [[Great Schism]] in 1054 dividing Christianity into [[Roman Catholicism]] and Eastern Orthodoxy. Today the Eastern Orthodox Church includes the the various national churches of Eastern Europe such as the [[Greek OrthodoxChurch]] and [[Russian Orthodox]] churches, and maintains a strong presence in these ethnic communities in countries such as the United States and Australia.

The Oriental Orthodox Communion refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keep the faith of only the first three [[ecumenical councils]] and reject the the [[Council of Chalcedon]]. Thus, despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively refer to themselves as [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]. The Oriental Orthodox churches came to a parting of the ways with the remainder of Christianity in the 5th century. The key difference was the views of the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the view that [[Nature of Christ|Jesus has two natures]] — , one divine and one human, as had been defined by the [[Council of Chalcedon]] ([[Fourth Ecumenical Council]]) of 451. Instead, the churches used the terminology of [[Miaphysitism]] which said that Jesus Christ is fully human and fully divine in one nature or "physis". The Oriental Churches include the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], [[Coptic Orthodox Church]] and the [[Syrian Orthodox Church]].

==LinksQuotes== [[J.B. Philips]]: The 'outsider' who knows nothing of the mixture of tradition, conviction, honest difference, and hidden resentment, that lies behind the divisions of the Christian Church sees clearly the advantage of a united Christian front and cannot see why the Churches cannot 'get together'. The problem is doubtless complicated, for there are many honest differences held with equal sincerity, but it is only made insoluble because the different denominations are (possibly unconsciously) imagining God to be Roman or Anglican or Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian or what have you. If they could see beyond their little inadequate god, and glimpse the reality of God, they might even laugh a little and perhaps weep a little. The result would be a unity that actually does transcend differences, instead of ignoring them with public politeness and private contempt.

{{returnto}} [[ChristianityCategory:Denominations]]