Anglican, Anglicanism

Anglicanism is a branch of Christianity that developed in England during the 16th century. It is a form of Protestantism that retains many of the practices and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. Anglicanism is also known as the Church of England, the Episcopal Church, or the Anglican Communion.

The Anglican Church was created during the English Reformation, which began in the 16th century. At that time, the Roman Catholic Church had significant power and influence in England. However, King Henry VIII was dissatisfied with the church's control over his affairs, particularly its refusal to grant him an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. In response, he broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England in 1534. This new church was based on the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church but with the king as its head.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Anglican Church became more distinct from the Catholic Church. Elizabeth established the Thirty-Nine Articles, a set of beliefs that defined the Anglican faith. These articles rejected some Catholic beliefs, such as transubstantiation and the veneration of saints, and affirmed the authority of the Bible. The Church of England continued to evolve throughout the centuries, and today there are many different branches of Anglicanism, including the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada.

Anglicanism is a diverse faith with a wide range of beliefs and practices. However, there are some core tenets that most Anglicans hold in common. These include:

Belief in the Holy Trinity: Anglicans believe in one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Authority of the Bible: Anglicans believe that the Bible is the primary authority for their faith and practice.

Sacraments: Anglicans recognize two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist (also known as Communion or the Lord's Supper). They also recognize five other sacramental rites: confirmation, marriage, ordination, reconciliation (confession), and anointing of the sick.

Apostolic Succession: Anglicans believe in the concept of apostolic succession, which means that bishops can trace their authority back to the apostles. This belief is symbolized by the laying on of hands during the ordination of bishops.

Liturgical worship: Anglicans often worship using liturgy, which is a set form of prayers and rituals. The Book of Common Prayer is used in most Anglican churches and contains the liturgies for worship services.

Social justice: Anglicans place a strong emphasis on social justice and have a history of involvement in political and social issues.

Anglicanism has had a significant impact on the development of Christianity and on English culture and society. Its emphasis on the authority of the Bible, the importance of sacraments, and the role of bishops has influenced many other denominations. Anglicanism has also been involved in many significant historical events, including the English Reformation, the American Revolution, and the struggle for civil rights in the United States. Today, the Anglican Communion is a global community of churches with over 85 million members in more than 165 countries.