Christians
Christians are people who identify with or practice Christianity, a religion centered on Jesus Christ and his teachings.
Jesus: A first-century Jewish teacher whose life and execution form the center of Christian faith. Christians understand his identity and significance as foundational to their religion.
Catholic Church: The worldwide Christian church led by the bishop of Rome, the pope. Catholics form the largest Christian communion, with distinctive authority and sacramental traditions.
Second Temple Judaism: The diverse forms of Judaism practiced during the period of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, from 516 BCE to 70 CE. Christianity began within the Jewish religious world of Jesus and his earliest followers.
Baptism: A Christian rite using water to signify entry into the faith and, in many traditions, purification or new life. Many churches use baptism to mark incorporation into Christian community.
Christian art: Artworks and visual traditions created to express Christian narratives, beliefs, worship, or devotion. Images and buildings have made Christian stories and practices visible across cultures.
Christian Bible: The collection of scriptures Christians regard as sacred, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. Its texts shape Christian belief, worship, and accounts of Jesus.
Eastern Orthodox Church: A family of self-governing churches sharing Eastern Christian theology, liturgy, and episcopal tradition. Orthodox Christians represent a major tradition distinct from Catholic and Protestant churches.
Paul the Apostle: An early Christian missionary and letter writer who helped establish communities across the Roman Empire. His missions and letters shaped Christianity beyond its original Jewish setting.
Eucharist: A Christian rite involving bread and wine, commemorating Jesus's Last Supper and interpreted differently across traditions. Its shared centrality and differing interpretations express both Christian unity and division.
Christian missions: Efforts to spread Christianity through teaching, conversion, and the formation of churches. Missionary activity has expanded Christian communities and carried complex cultural consequences.