Christianity

Relevant topics on**Magic**

**Christianity** (十字教（じゅうじきょう）, *Juuji Kyou*?, lit. "Religion of the Cross", Yen Press: **Crossism**) is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of the Son of God.

Christianity is the most represented and largest religion in the *Toaru Majutsu no Index* universe, and represents the greater part of the magic side. Most notably, Index is a Christian of the Anglican Church denomination.

## Etymology

The Greek word Χριστιανός *(Christianos)*—meaning "follower of Christ"—comes from Χριστός *(Christos)*—meaning "anointed one" —with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to, or even belonging to, as in slave ownership.

However, the regular characters used for Christianity (キリスト教, *Christianity*?), which when spoken, directly refers to "Christian Religion" is not used by the author in the series, instead using the cross (十字, *Jūji*?) character and the doctrine (教, *Kyō*?) character, which can be translated as Cross Church or Religion of the Cross.

## Principles

Being a monotheistic religion, the various sects and denominations of Christianity worship a single God, considered to be the one true God, the creator and the Supreme Being of the universe. Attributes ascribed to God include immortality, transcendence, omniscience (i.e., knows everything that has ever transpired or will transpire, past, present, and future), omnipotence (i.e., capable of doing anything He desires to), and omnibenevolence (i.e., He loves everyone and everything). The doctrine of the Trinity defines God as being one deity in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, all the same God.

More specifically, Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a preacher whose followers identified as the *Messiah* promised in the Jewish Old Testament, and no less than the Son of God as well as being an aspect of God Himself. He was executed by the Roman and Judean authorities for supposedly presenting Himself as such, but returned from the dead 3 days later. His words and miracles were recorded by the Apostles in what would become known as the New Testament and compiled with the Old Testament to form the Christian Bible.

### History

Regardless of the fact that the Christianity originated as a single religion, according to Index, since politics have entered the religion, divisions began to appear in the religion, eventually culminating in several different factions with their own beliefs and paths, even though they worship the same God. Different interpretations and views of the Bible are also known causes for the schisms.

Because of this rift, the churches lost their connection with each other and evolved in their own ways, and attained their own personalities, based on the country's attributes and various other conditions.

Christianity is the current age that dominates the world of *Toaru Majutsu no Index*, however, it has been predicted that once Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law is used, the age of the Religion of the Cross will end.

### Denominations

Christianity in the *Toaru Majutsu no Index* universe can broadly divided between the old and new forms of Catholicism and Protestantism, with Catholicism made up of three major religious denominations and organizations, each with their apparent purpose:

* **Roman Catholic Church** - manages and administrates the world. The largest and relatively most powerful Christian sect in the *Toaru Majutsu no Index* universe, consisting of two billion followers in the entire world.
* **Russian Orthodox Church** - investigates and exterminates the occult phenomena.
* **Anglican Church** - specializes in inquisitions and anti-magic.

#### Minor denominations and sects

Other than the three, there are several denominations mentioned during the course of the story.

* **Amakusa-Style Remix of Church**: A distinct Catholic-based domination, formed by Japanese during Christianity in Japan was banned in the country under the threat of death. Most notable for incorporating various beliefs and cultures of other religions and countries, resulting in a unique style of their own, such as using European medieval weapons and using Shinto concepts to attack gods.
* **Spanish Astrological Sect**: A Spanish Catholic-based church under the Roman Catholic Church.
* **Catholics** (旧教 ( カトリック) , *Katorikku*?) (to distinguish from the Roman Catholic Church, or Roman Rite)
* **Protestants** (新教 (プロテスタント) , *Purotesutanto*?)
* **Nestorians** (ネストリウス派, *Nesutoriusu-ha*?)
* **Athanasians** (アタナシウス派, *Atanashiusu-ha*?)
* **Gnostics** (グノーシス派, *Gunōshisu-ha*?)

## Uses of Christianity in the story

### Figures & Individual Beings

 **Adam and Eve** | The first man and woman, created by God.
 **Beast of the Apocalypse** | Also called the Beast from the Sea, the First Beast, or the Beast, from the Book of Revelations, it is a seven-headed, ten-horned monstrosity who represents the Devil on Earth as the Antichrist and wields all of his authority, bestowing on his followers his mark, the number 666.
 **Salome** | Name in Christian tradition of the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, who would be the one to cause John the Baptist's death by asking for his head after dancing for Herod.
 **The Twelve Apostles** | The twelve disciples of Jesus, the Son of God.
 **Virgin Mary** | The mother of Jesus, the Son of God.

### Weapons & Artifacts

 **Lance of Longinus** | The spear used to pierce the side of the Son of God during the crucifixion
* The Thirteen Knights of the Roman Catholic Church are said to have been trying to mass-produce replicas of the spear.
* Durandal is said to have been made from a shard of the spear.