Traditions
One faith, many families.
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and more — what each believes, how each worships and how they are organised. Written for understanding, not debate.
How we write about traditionsEach tradition is described in terms its own members would recognise. We name who holds which view and do not rank them. Think we misrepresented yours? Tell us — corrections are published.
What they shareAlmost all affirm the Nicene Creed, the Trinity, Christ's full divinity and humanity, his resurrection, Scripture's authority, and baptism. What Christians actually agree on.
Family
Catholic Christianity
Catholic
Catholic
- History
- Traces itself to the apostles, with Peter as first Bishop of Rome. The largest Christian body, around 1.3 billion members.
- Beliefs
- Scripture and Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium; justification involving faith, grace and inner renewal; Mary and the saints honoured.
- Worship
- The Mass, centred on the Eucharist; liturgical calendar; devotions such as the Rosary.
- Sacraments
- Seven sacraments.
- Structure
- The Pope and bishops in apostolic succession; dioceses and parishes worldwide.
Go deeperExplore Catholic teaching in greater depth at Catholic.id.
Family
Orthodox Christianity
Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox
- History
- The churches of the Greek-speaking East and their missions, formally separated from Rome in 1054. Around 220 million members, largest in Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Greece.
- Beliefs
- Scripture within Holy Tradition; the seven ecumenical councils; salvation as theosis.
- Worship
- The Divine Liturgy, richly sung; icons; long fasts and feasts.
- Sacraments
- Seven 'holy mysteries'.
- Structure
- Self-governing (autocephalous) churches led by patriarchs and bishops; the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is 'first among equals'.
Orthodox
Oriental Orthodox
- History
- Ancient churches — Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Syriac, Eritrean and Malankara — which did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (451).
- Beliefs
- Shares most Orthodox belief; expresses Christology as 'one incarnate nature of the Word' (miaphysite).
- Worship
- Ancient liturgies in Coptic, Ge'ez, Armenian and Syriac.
- Sacraments
- Seven sacraments.
- Structure
- Autonomous churches led by patriarchs and bishops.
Family
Protestant and related traditions
Protestant
Anglican / Episcopal
- History
- Emerged from the Church of England's break with Rome under Henry VIII and its reform under Elizabeth I. About 85 million in the Anglican Communion.
- Beliefs
- Scripture as primary authority, read with tradition and reason; the creeds; the Thirty-Nine Articles (historically).
- Worship
- Liturgical, using the Book of Common Prayer and its successors; spans 'high church' to evangelical.
- Sacraments
- Two 'gospel sacraments' (baptism, Eucharist) plus five other sacramental rites.
- Structure
- Bishops in historic succession; provinces in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Protestant
Lutheran
- History
- Began with Martin Luther's reform movement in Germany after 1517.
- Beliefs
- Justification by grace through faith alone; Scripture as norm; the Book of Concord.
- Worship
- Liturgical, with strong musical heritage (Bach was Lutheran).
- Sacraments
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper (real presence); confession valued.
- Structure
- Synods and bishops, varying by country.
Protestant
Reformed / Presbyterian
- History
- Shaped by Zwingli and John Calvin in Switzerland; spread to Scotland (Presbyterian), the Netherlands and beyond.
- Beliefs
- God's sovereignty and grace; covenant theology; confessions such as Westminster and Heidelberg.
- Worship
- Word-centred worship; preaching central; traditionally simple.
- Sacraments
- Baptism (including infants) and the Lord's Supper (spiritual presence).
- Structure
- Governed by elders in presbyteries and synods.
Protestant
Methodist / Wesleyan
- History
- Grew from John and Charles Wesley's 18th-century revival within the Church of England.
- Beliefs
- Grace for all (prevenient grace), assurance, and the pursuit of holiness; strong social conscience.
- Worship
- Hymn-rich (Charles Wesley wrote thousands); liturgical to informal.
- Sacraments
- Baptism (including infants) and Holy Communion.
- Structure
- Connectional system of conferences and, in some branches, bishops.
Protestant
Baptist
- History
- Emerged in 17th-century England and Holland from Separatist and Anabaptist influences.
- Beliefs
- Believer's baptism; Scripture's authority; soul liberty and religious freedom; congregational autonomy.
- Worship
- Preaching-centred; often informal.
- Sacraments
- Two ordinances: believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as memorial.
- Structure
- Each congregation self-governing; voluntary conventions.
Protestant
Anabaptist / Mennonite
- History
- Radical Reformation movement from 1525 in Zürich; includes Mennonites, Amish and Hutterites.
- Beliefs
- Believer's baptism, discipleship, community, and nonviolence.
- Worship
- Simple worship; strong emphasis on community life.
- Sacraments
- Ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper; some practise foot-washing.
- Structure
- Congregational.
Protestant
Pentecostal & Charismatic
- History
- Modern movement often dated to the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles (1906); now hundreds of millions worldwide, especially in the Global South.
- Beliefs
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit, often with speaking in tongues; healing; expectation of God's active presence.
- Worship
- Expressive, music-led worship.
- Sacraments
- Ordinances of baptism and communion.
- Structure
- Varies: denominations (e.g. Assemblies of God) and independent churches.
Protestant
Evangelical
- History
- A cross-denominational movement rooted in 18th-century revivals, defined less by structure than by shared convictions.
- Beliefs
- Often summarised by the 'Bebbington quadrilateral': the Bible, the cross, conversion and active faith.
- Worship
- Varies widely.
- Sacraments
- Usually two ordinances.
- Structure
- Found across Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal and non-denominational churches.
Protestant
Non-denominational
- History
- Independent congregations not formally tied to a denomination, growing rapidly since the late 20th century.
- Beliefs
- Usually evangelical in belief, emphasising the Bible and personal faith.
- Worship
- Contemporary, band-led worship is common.
- Sacraments
- Usually believer's baptism and communion.
- Structure
- Independent; often led by a pastor and elders.
Free guide · PDF
The traditions compared, in one document.
Authority, salvation and the sacraments side by side, plus a glossary and timeline.