After Jesus's Death Christianity is the religion of whose belief system centers on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. To Christians, Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Messiah of Christ promised by God in the prophecies of the Old Testament. By his life, death, and resurrection he freed those who believe in him from their sinful state and made them recipients of God's saving grace. The Christian Bible, or Holy Scripture, includes the Old Testament and the New Testament, a collection of early Christian writings proclaiming Jesus as lord and savior. Arising in the Jewish milieu of 1st-century Palestine, Christianity quickly spread through the Mediterranean world and in the 4th century became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Christians vary widely in worship.
As time went on, the Eucharist became surrounded by an elaborate ritual in Latin. In the Middle Ages Christians began to venerate saints and holy images, and in the west seven sacraments were recognized. In most Christian churches, Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection, is observed as a time of rest and worship. The resurrection is more particularly commemorated at Easter, a festival in the early spring. Another major Christian festival is Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus.