As a religious studies expert with a focus on Christianity, I am well-versed in the various denominations and traditions that make up this vast and diverse faith. Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and it has evolved into numerous branches and denominations over the centuries. Here is a comprehensive overview of the major types of Christianity:


1. Catholic Church: With over 1.285 billion adherents, the Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination. It is led by the Pope, who is considered the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual leader of the worldwide Catholic community. The Catholic Church emphasizes the sacraments, the authority of the Pope, and the importance of tradition and the Magisterium.


2. Protestantism: Protestantism encompasses a wide range of denominations that originated from the Reformation in the 16th century. With approximately 920 million followers, it is the second-largest branch of Christianity. Protestants generally reject the authority of the Pope and emphasize the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of all believers, and salvation by grace through faith alone.


3. Eastern Orthodox Church: The Eastern Orthodox Church, with around 270 million adherents, is known for its rich liturgical traditions and its emphasis on the Holy Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It is a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed independently but united in doctrine and worship.


4. Oriental Orthodoxy: With 86 million followers, Oriental Orthodoxy includes churches that rejected the Christological definitions of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, such as the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Syriac Orthodox Church. They emphasize the unity of Christ's divine and human natures.


5. Restorationism and Nontrinitarianism: These movements, with about 35 million adherents, aim to restore Christianity to its original state as practiced by the apostles. They often reject the doctrine of the Trinity and other traditional Christian beliefs.


6. Independent Catholicism: With 18 million followers, Independent Catholicism consists of churches that are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church but maintain Catholic traditions and rituals.

7.
Minor branches: These include various other denominations and movements that do not fit neatly into the categories above, with a combined following of around 1 million.

Each of these branches has its own unique history, beliefs, practices, and interpretations of the Bible. Despite their differences, all Christians share a common faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity.

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Christianity -C 2.42 billionCatholic Church -C 1.285 billion.Protestantism -C 920 million.Eastern Orthodox Church -C 270 million.Oriental Orthodoxy -C 86 million.Restorationism and Nontrinitarianism -C 35 million.Independent Catholicism -C 18 million.Minor branches -C 1 million.read more >>