Christian branches such as Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches all follow Jesus Christ but differ on authority, sacraments, and tradition.
Main branches
- Catholic: led by the pope. About 1.4 billion members.
- Eastern Orthodox: self governing national churches. About 220 million.
- Protestant: Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Pentecostals and others. About 900 million.
Differences
Authority, sacraments, role of tradition and the Bible, and church structure.
Shared beliefs
Jesus as Son of God, the Trinity (most groups), and the Bible.
Date of splits
East and West split in 1054. The Reformation began in 1517.
Three major branches
- Catholic Church: led by the pope, with about 1.3 billion members.
- Eastern Orthodox churches: about 220 million members, led by patriarchs and councils.
- Protestantism: about 900 million members across thousands of denominations such as Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican and Pentecostal.
Christianity as a whole has about 2.4 billion followers, about 31% of the world population, according to Pew Research Center.
Historical splits
The Great Schism of 1054 separated Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg.
Differences in authority
Catholics recognize the pope’s authority. Orthodox churches are self governing groups with a symbolic first among equals. Many Protestants emphasize the Bible as the sole authority (sola scriptura).
Sacraments
Catholics and Orthodox recognize seven sacraments. Most Protestants recognize two: baptism and communion (Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper). Views on the nature of communion differ.
Clergy
Catholic and Orthodox priests are ordained, and Catholic priests are celibate in most traditions. Many Protestant churches ordain women and allow clergy to marry.
Shared beliefs
Most Christians believe in the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
Other groups
Oriental Orthodox churches, Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses and others have different views, and some do not accept the Nicene definition of the Trinity.
Geography
Catholicism is strong in Latin America and southern Europe. Orthodoxy dominates in Russia, Greece and Eastern Europe. Protestantism is large in the US, northern Europe and Africa.
Branches and numbers
Christianity has three main branches: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant. Pew Research estimates that about half of Christians are Catholic, roughly 37 percent Protestant and 12 percent Orthodox. Shared beliefs include the Trinity, the divinity and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the authority of the Bible, as summarized in the Nicene Creed of 325 and 381. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 shaped teachings about Christ, and the split between East and West in 1054 separated Rome from Constantinople.
Differences in authority and practice
Catholics recognize the pope as head of the church, combined with church tradition, while Orthodox churches are led by patriarchs and councils with no single pope. Many Protestants follow sola scriptura, the Bible as the final authority. Catholics and Orthodox recognize seven sacraments, and most Protestants two, baptism and communion. Catholic priests are celibate in the Latin rite, Orthodox priests may marry before ordination, and many Protestant denominations ordain women. Protestants form the majority in northern Europe and parts of the US, Orthodox in Russia, Greece and Romania, and Catholics in Latin America and southern Europe.
Based on data from Pew Research Center and the Encyclopaedia Britannica
