Christianity
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
One of India's oldest faith communities, with Syrian Christians in Kerala tracing their church to St Thomas the Apostle, and large communities in the North-East, Goa and the south.
| Followers (Census 2011) | 2,78,19,588 (2.30%) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Founded in West Asia in the 1st century CE. By tradition St Thomas the Apostle reached Kerala in the 1st century; later churches came with Portuguese and other European missions from the 16th century |
Sacred texts
Main festivals
- Christmas
- Good Friday
- Easter
- Feast of St Francis Xavier (Goa)
- Feast of Our Lady of Good Health (Velankanni)
Underlined names open their own page.
Key beliefs and practices
- One God, understood as the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ's life, teaching, death and resurrection bring salvation.
- Love of God and love of one's neighbour are the greatest commandments.
- Worship through prayer, the sacraments (such as baptism and the Eucharist) and the reading of the Bible.
- Indian Christians belong to many churches, including Catholic (Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites), Orthodox, Mar Thoma and Protestant churches such as the Church of South India and the Church of North India.