In 1517, a German priest and academic called Martin Luther published a text called the Ninety-five Thesis, a list of criticisms levelled at the clergy of the Catholic Church. Up until this point, the vast majority of Christians in Europe had been Roman Catholics. Luther’s text catalysed the Protestant Reformation – a transformative movement that birthed new Christian denominations independent of the Papacy in Rome.
In Catholic England, a decade later, King Henry VIII had also grown frustrated with the Pope, who resolutely refused to grant him an annulment for his first marriage. Increasingly desperate, the King instructed Parliament to declare the monarch the Supreme Head of the Church of England and for Thomas Cranmer, the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, to annul his marriage – a decision that would have been unthinkable prior to the Reformation.
Although Henry VIII’s move did not immediately give rise to a new Anglican faith – his personal beliefs largely remained aligned with Catholicism until his death – it enabled the gradual development of a distinct Anglican faith over the following century. Another pivotal moment was Cranmer’s publication of the Book of Common Prayer in 1549, which further emphasised the Church of England’s independence from Rome. Revised editions of Cranmer’s text remain in use to this day.
Today, with around 100 million members, Anglicanism has grown to become the third largest Christian denomination in the world. Outside of England, the largest Anglican communities can be found in Commonwealth countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Australia.
Like all Christians, Anglicans observe certain sacred rites and ceremonies known as sacraments. For Anglicans, the two most important sacraments are baptism and Holy Communion. Baptism, typically performed during infancy, marks an individual’s entry into the Anglican Communion with the washing away of sin. Anglicans also practice baptism for adults who want to join the faith later in life.
Whilst baptism is a singular event in an Anglican’s life, Holy Communion is central to regular worship for Anglicans. During this sacrament, consecrated bread and wine are consumed in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. For many Anglicans, this ceremony is a key part of a weekly Sunday service.
The global Anglican community comes together every decade to hold the Lambeth Conference. At the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, bishops from all over the world come together to discuss world affairs and the global mission of the Anglican Communion.
The Anglican faith is a denomination with a rich, unique history, and a global community of worshippers. It is one of the world’s largest Christian denominations and a central element of the religious landscape in the UK today.