1. World Religions:
Christianity

2. Introduction Christianity is the world's largest religion
It has around 2.1 billion followers throughout the globe.
Christianity is also the United States’ biggest religion.
This monotheistic religion is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth who later became known as Jesus Christ because his believers think he is the Son of God. 

3. Christianity Origins
Christianity originally developed as a part of Judaism. 
Jesus was a Jew who was born in 1 CE in Bethlehem. 
Most of his life is a mystery, as there are no records of his life except his birth, a brief time in his yearly childhood, and 1-3 years of adulthood when he preached and was crucified.  
Christianity didn’t just happen immediately.  For nearly 100 years Christianity was a denomination of Judaism, and a very unpopular one at that.  

4. Origins Continued
The few followers of Christianity were the family of Jesus and the few apostles that were still alive.  
Jesus preached new ideas that many Jews and Romans viewed as rebellious--it was dangerous to be a follower of Jesus.
 The number of followers greatly increased when Romans began to convert to Christianity.   

5. Christ
Christians believe that 2,000 years ago in what is now Israel, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth to save humans from the consequences of their sins (wrongdoings in the eyes of God).
Born a Jew and Roman subject in Bethlehem (present-day Israel)
Age 30, Jesus taught, did good works and performed miracles.
His followers became known as his disciples.

6. Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified around 33 CE in Jerusalem—a very important city to Christians.  
Old Jewish writings said a leader would die and rise from the dead to lead the people.  
Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples (followers), which made him the Messiah (Savior) promised in the Old Testament. 
Freed believers from sin and offered resurrection in the afterlife (Resurrection: rise from the dead and enter Heaven)

7. Pieta
The Pieta shows the Virgin Mary with the body of Jesus in her lap after the Crucifixion. This statue was created by Michelangelo. It is located in St. Peter’s Basilica.

8. Common Beliefs
Christians worship in churches. They are often built in the shape of a cross with the altar facing east towards the rising sun. 
Their spiritual leaders are called priests or ministers.
The Christian holy book is the Bible, and consists of the Old and New Testaments.
The Ten Commandments are very important to Christians as well as Jews.
Believe in an afterlife of either eternal salvation (Heaven) or eternal damnation (Hell)

9. Holy Trinity
Christians believe that there is only one God, but that there are three elements to this one God:
God the Father
God the Son
The Holy Spirit
This is called the Holy Trinity

10. Denominations
Worldwide, the three largest groups of Christianity are the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the various denominations of Protestantism.
They all worship in different ways, different times of the day, saying different prayers, and believing different things, but most believe in certain core ideas such as heaven, and the resurrection of Jesus. 

11. Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with 1.2 billion members.
The leader of the Catholic Church is known as the Pope
The importance of the Roman bishop is largely derived from his role as the traditional successor to Saint Peter, to whom Jesus gave the keys of Heaven and the powers of "binding and loosing," naming him as the "rock" upon which the church would be built.

12. The Pope lives in and rules Vatican City.
The current pope is Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI.

13. Vatican Adventure Vatican City April 2011
Mrs. Burnette’s
Vatican Adventure
Vatican City April 2011

14. The Vatican

15. Pope Benedict XVI

16. The Pontifical Swiss Guard
The Pontifical Swiss Guard has served the popes since the 16th century.

17. St. Peter’s Basilica

18. Michelangelo's most famous painting is God creating Adam.
The Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's most famous painting is God creating Adam.

19. Religious Observances: Christmas
Time of Year: December 25. 
For Christians, Christmas is a holy day that marks the birth of Jesus, believed to be the son of God.
Although they differ around the world, some common ways of observing the holiday include attending worship services, hosting gatherings with family and friends, feasting and exchanging gifts.

20. Nativity
Depicts the birth of Christ

21. Religious Observances: Easter
Time of Year: Usually April 
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ following Good Friday, the day of his crucifixion.
Churches (Christian houses of worship) are filled with flowers, and people sing special hymns (religious songs).

22. Resurrection of Christ
Carl Heinrich Bloch, The Resurrection, Museum of National History on Frederiksborg Castle. Courtesy of the Hope Gallery.