Here's a breakdown of some major branches and subgroups of Christianity:

Main Branches:

1. Catholicism: Led by the Pope, it emphasizes Church authority, sacraments, and

tradition.
2. Orthodoxy: Distinct from Catholicism since 1054, focuses on icons, liturgical
traditions, and the authority of bishops.
3. Protestantism: Emerged in the 16th century, emphasizing individual interpretation
of scripture and justification by faith.

Major Catholicism Traditions:

1. Roman Catholicism:

 The largest and most well-known Catholic tradition, with over 1.3 billion followers
worldwide.
 Led by the Pope, who resides in Vatican City.
 Emphasizes the importance of the Church hierarchy, sacraments, and tradition in
understanding and living out the Christian faith.

2. Eastern Catholicism:

 Comprises 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Pope but
retaining their own unique liturgical and cultural traditions.
 Notable examples include the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Maronite
Catholic Church, and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

3. Anglican Catholicism:

 Also known as Anglo-Catholicism, a movement within the Anglican Communion

emphasizing Catholic doctrines and practices.
 Shares many similarities with Roman Catholicism, including liturgical practices
and veneration of saints.

4. Independent Catholicism:

 Encompasses various groups not formally affiliated with the Roman Catholic
Church or any other major Catholic tradition.
 Often share core Catholic beliefs but may differ in their understanding of Church
authority, sacraments, and other aspects of faith.

5. Traditionalist Catholicism:

 Groups adhering to pre-Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) liturgical practices

and theological interpretations.
 Often critical of modernizations within the Catholic Church.
Major Orthodoxy Traditions:

1. Eastern Orthodox Church:

 The largest and most geographically widespread Orthodox tradition,

encompassing numerous autocephalous (self-governing) churches.
 Shares a common history, theology, and liturgical practices, despite regional
variations.
 Some prominent Eastern Orthodox churches include the Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Church of Greece, the Russian Orthodox
Church, and the Romanian Orthodox Church.

2. Oriental Orthodoxy:

 Also known as the Non-Chalcedonian Churches, separated from the Eastern

Orthodox Church after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 due to differing
Christological views.
 Major Oriental Orthodox churches include the Armenian Apostolic Church, the
Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the
Syriac Orthodox Church.

3. Old Believers:

 A group of Eastern Orthodox Christians who split from the mainstream church in
the 17th century due to liturgical reforms.
 Found primarily in Russia, Ukraine, and Romania, known for their strict
adherence to traditional practices.

4. Autonomous Churches:

 Several smaller Orthodox churches maintain varying degrees of autonomy within

the broader Eastern Orthodox communion.
 Examples include the Albanian Orthodox Church, the Church of the Czech Lands
and Slovakia, and the Orthodox Church in America.

5. New Monasticism:

 A contemporary movement within Orthodoxy emphasizing renewal and

revitalization of monastic life.
 Often characterized by a focus on social justice, ecumenical dialogue, and
outreach to young people.
Major Protestant Traditions:

1. Anglicanism:
 Combines Catholic and Protestant elements, with national churches headed by
bishops.
2. Lutheranism:
 Founded by Martin Luther, emphasizes justification by faith alone and two
sacraments.
3. Baptists:
 Believes in adult baptism, congregational autonomy, and two sacraments.
4. Methodism:
 Founded by John Wesley, emphasizes personal conversion, holiness, and social
justice.
5. Presbyterianism:
 Emphasizes predestination, limited atonement, and governance by elders.
6. Pentecostalism:
 Focuses on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and spiritual
gifts.
7. Reformed Christianity:
 Emphasizes God's sovereignty, predestination, and limited atonement.

Other Significant Groups:

11. Anabaptists: Believe in adult baptism, separation of church and state, and pacifism.
12. Independent Christianity: Diverse group of churches not formally affiliated with
any denomination.