Church of Hindia Belanda
Church of Hindia Belanda | |
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Gereja Hindia Belanda Nederlands Indische Kerk | |
Classification | Protestantism |
Orientation | Lutheranism |
Polity | Episcopal |
Primate | Archbishop Ella Atmokartodjo of Buitenzorg |
Region | Hindia Belanda |
Language | Indonesian, Dutch, English |
Liturgy | Nusantaran rite |
Headquarters | Cathedral of Buitenzorg |
Separated from | Protestantse Kerk in Noordenstaat |
Members | 36.3 million |
The Church of Hindia Belanda (Indonesian: Gereja Hindia Belanda; Dutch: Nederlands Indische Kerk) is the largest Christian church in the Commonwealth of Hindia Belanda, with over 36 million members or 30% of the total Hindia Belandan population. It is the second largest religious denomination in the country after Esoteric Shi'ism. From the early 17th century until the late 18th century, it was the only allowed Christian church in the Colony of Hindia Belanda, due to a strong anti-Catholic sentiment amongst the colonial administrators who predominantly belonged to the Protestantse Kerk in Noordenstaat. The church was formerly known as the Protestantse Kerk in Nederlands Indië before the independence of Hindia Belanda in 1929.
As a Lutheran episcopal church, it maintains the historical episcopate and is considered a high church, having retained the Mass and the traditional use of liturgical vestments as well as claiming apostolic succession.
History
Company rule (1580 to 1800)
Colonial Hindia Belanda (1800 to 1929)
Liberalisation
Theology
Church politics and structure
Primate
The Primate of the Church of Hindia Belanda is