Fast Facts on Christianity

This section provides basic facts on Christianity in a quick, at-a-glance format. Here you can get a general sense of the Christian faith before exploring it in greater depth, get the basics in order to compare Christianity to other religions, study for a test on Christianity, play a Christian trivia game, or just learn something new.

Date founded:

c. 33 AD

Place founded:

Palestine

Founder:

Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish carpenter

Adherents:

2 billion {1} See Religion Statistics

US adherents:

159 million in 2001 {2} See Church Attendance by State

UK adherents:

51 million in 1997 {3}

Size rank:

largest world religion; See Religion Statistics

Main location:

Europe
North America
South America

Major sects (denominations):

Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant

Sacred texts:

The Bible, comprised of the Old Testament and New Testament

Original languages:

Aramaic, Greek, Latin

Other beliefs:

Angels, Devils & Demons, Holy Spirit, Mary, Purgatory, Salvation, Stigmata

Religious professionals:

Priest; bishop; archbishop; patriarch; pope; pastor; minister; preacher; deacon

House of worship:

Church, chapel, cathedral, basilica, meeting hall

Type of theism:

Trinitarian Monotheism

Ultimate reality:

One God (a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

Human nature:

Created good but now born sinful

Purpose of life:

Know, love and serve God

How to live:

Have faith in the true God and Christ's resurrection, do good works, participate in sacraments

Afterlife:

Resurrection of body and soul, purgatory (Catholic and Orthodox), and eternal heaven or hell

Symbols:

Cross, dove, anchor, fish, alpha and omega, chi rho

Major holidays:

Advent (Nov. 30 - Dec. 24)
Christmas (Dec. 25)
Epiphany (Jan. 6)
Lent (40-day period prior to Easter)
Good Friday (last Friday before Easter)
Easter (date varies)
All Saint's Day (Nov. 1)

Books of the New Testament :

Gospel of Matthew Gospel of Mark Gospel of Luke Gospel of John Acts of the Apostles Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians

Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon

Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

Two Greatest Commandments

1. Love God with your heart, soul and mind.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself. {4}

Four Last Things

1. second coming
2. judgment
3. heaven
4. hell

Seven Deadly Sins

1. pride
2. greed
3. lust
4. envy
5. gluttony
6. anger
7. sloth

Seven Ecumenical Councils

1. Council of Nicea (325 AD)
2. Council of Constantinople (381)
3. Council of Ephesus (431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (681)
7. Second Council of Nicea (787)

Twelve Apostles

1. James, son of Zebedee
2. John, son of Zebedee
3. Philip
4. Bartholomew
5. Thomas
6. Andrew (Peter's brother)
7. Simon Peter
8. Matthew the tax collector
9. James, son of Alphaeus
10. Simon the Zealot
11. Judas Iscariot
12. Thaddaeus {5}

See also Paul of Tarsus

Fourteen Stations of the Cross

1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. The cross is laid upon him
3. Jesus' first fall
4. Jesus meets Mary
5. Simon of Cyrene bears the cross
6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face
7. Jesus' second fall
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus' third fall
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus is crucified
12. Jesus dies
13. Jesus' body is taken down
14. Jesus's body is laid in the tomb