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Christianity is India's third-largest religion according to the census of 2001, with approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.3 percent of India's population.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Social_and_cultural/Religion.aspx )〕 The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings state that Christianity was introduced to India by Thomas the Apostle, who visited Muziris in Kerala in AD 52 to spread the gospel amongst Kerala's Jewish settlements.〔(''The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 5'' ) by Erwin Fahlbusch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing - 2008. p. 285. ISBN 978-0-8028-2417-2.〕〔(''The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities'' ) by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 27. ISBN 965-278-179-7.〕〔A. E. Medlycott, (1905) "India and the Apostle Thomas"; Gorgias Press LLC; ISBN 1-59333-180-0.〕〔Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II.〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Kerala Syrian Christians, Apostle in India )〕 Although the origins of Christianity in India remain unclear, there is a general scholarly consensus that Christianity was established in India by the 6th century AD, including some communities who used Syriac liturgically, and it is possible that the religion's existence there extends to as far back as the 1st century.〔See Jones, Arun, "(Christianity in South Asia )" in Farhadian (ed.), ''Introducing World Christianity'' (Blackwell Publishing, 2012), p. 93. For a more thorough treatment of the topic which affirms Jones' claims, and for the use of Syriac, see Frykenberg, Robert Eric, ''Christianity in India: From Beginnings to the Present'' (Oxford University Press, 2008). See also the earlier Neill, Stephen, ''A History of Christianity in India'' (Cambridge University Press, 1984), pp. 48–49. Neill takes it as certain that Christianity was established in India by the 6th century and also affirms the possibility of the St. Thomas tradition being true.〕 Christianity was as such established in India even before some nations of Europe had been Christianised.〔 pp. 1–8 and 114–115.〕 (PM ) Don: Christians are found all across India and in all walks of life, with major populations in parts of South India, the Konkan Coast, North-East. Indian Christians have contributed significantly to and are well represented in various spheres of national life. They include former and current chief ministers, governors and chief election commissioners.〔(Hon'ble Shri P. C. Alexander )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Govt appoints new Governors, Margaret Alva gets U`khand )〕 Indian Christians have the lowest sex ratio figures among the various religious communities in India.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Population by religious communities (Census 2001) )〕 Christianity in India has different denominations. The state of Kerala is home to the Saint Thomas Christian community, an ancient body of Christians (Syriac Christianity) who are now divided into several different churches and traditions. There are two Eastern Catholic Saint Thomas Christian churches: the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. There are also several Oriental Orthodox and independent churches in the Saint Thomas Christian community, including the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Since the 19th century Protestant churches have also been present; major denominations include the Church of South India (CSI), the Church of North India (CNI), the Presbyterian Church of India, Baptists, Lutherans, Traditional Anglicans and other evangelical groups. Roman Catholicism was first introduced to India by Portuguese, Italian and Irish Jesuits in the 16th century, whereas Protestantism was later spread to India by the efforts of British and American missionaries. The Christian Church runs thousands of educational institutions and hospitals contributing significantly to the development of the nation. Roman Catholicism was first introduced to India by Portuguese, Italian and Irish Jesuits in the 16th century. Evangelical Protestantism was later spread to India by the efforts of British, American, German, Scottish missionaries to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ among Indians. These Protestant missions were also responsible for introducing English education in India for the first time〔http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/10603/13999/11/11_chapter%204.pdf〕 and were also accountable in the first early translations of the Holy Bible in various Indian languages.〔''Herald of library science'' Volume 11 Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science - 1972 "In 1773, Ferguson's Hindoostani dictionary was published from London. According to Dr L.S. Varshaney, the first translation of the Bible in Hindi appeared in 1725 which was translated by Schultze."〕 Since the 19th century Protestant churches have also been present; major denominations include the Church of South India (CSI), the Church of North India (CNI), the Presbyterian Church of India, Baptists, Lutherans, Traditional Anglicans, Plymouth Brethren, Methodists, Pentecostals, and other non-denominational evangelical groups. The Christian Church runs thousands of educational institutions and hospitals contributing significantly to the development of the nation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has over 10,000 members in several congregations throughout India. LDS Church members are most prevalent in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Coimbatore. == Early Christianity in India == 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Christianity in India」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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