Christianity

On this page: Christianity — Parents: Fotografische Themen › Kultur › Religionen — Photography, Technology & Science at the Tenckhoff Photo Archive.

Image

Christianity, with more than two billion adherents, is the world’s largest religion. Emerging from Jewish tradition in the 1st century CE, it centers on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, regarded as the Son of God and Redeemer. Its core creed affirms the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — and the commandment to love God and one’s neighbor.

The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is Christianity’s sacred scripture. The Gospel proclaims salvation through faith, grace, and forgiveness. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus symbolize the victory over death and sin.

Over time, diverse denominations arose: the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, and the Protestant Churches, shaped by the Reformation in the 16th century. Despite doctrinal variations, they share common values — compassion, humility, justice, and hope for eternal life.

Christianity has profoundly influenced Western culture, philosophy, art, and ethics. Today it engages with modern science, ecology, and social justice. Rooted in a humanistic vision, it views humanity as created in God’s image, emphasizing dignity, freedom, and moral responsibility.

Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba – Between Light, Stone, and Faith

The Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba unites mosque and cathedral in one luminous structure. Light, stone, and history merge into a space where faiths meet — a timeless dialogue between architecture, memory, and belief.

Dona Nobis Pacem – The Light of Peace on Cologne Cathedral

In 2018, Cologne Cathedral became a canvas for the light installation Dona Nobis Pacem. Black and white, then full color, the façade itself spoke a message of peace, remembrance, and hope through light, sound, and silence.

The Moldavian monasteries in the Bukovina

The Principality of Moldova, founded in the 14th century, reached its cultural heyday in the 15th century under the province of Stephen the Great.

Mechelen - day & night

The cultural city of Mechelen in Belgium delights day and night with historic buildings, bridges over the Dijle, picturesque alleys and Beethoven.

Le Mont Saint Michel - from prison to monastery

Le Mont Saint Michel - Monastery, pilgrimage site, prison, World Heritage. The famous UNESCO site is a magical place with an eventful history.

Santiago de Compostela

The Camino de Santiago leads to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, where the bones of Saint James, one of the 12 apostles, are kept under the cathedral. If the long hike used to be a journey into the "I", today it is more and more like an ongoing sporting event.

Gaztelugatxe in Biscay

The island of Gaztelugatxe in the Bay of Biscay served as a retreat for the Templars in the 13th century and as a filming location for the creators of Game of Thrones.

The Way of Saint James from León

The Templars protected them for a long time, the pilgrims on the Way of St. James between Leon, Astorga, Bonferrada and finally on their last stage to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

Montserrat Monastery in the mountains

The Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat is nestled like a bird's nest under the peaks of the 1236 meter high Montserrat mountain.

Vilnius, the baroque capital of Lithuania

Vilnius is also often referred to as the baroque capital of Lithuania and the many baroque buildings in the old town confirm this.

Cologne Cathedral at the blue hour

Cologne Cathedral at the blue hour - the classic photo motif that is often taken by photographers from the Rhineland.