Evangelical Christian Church of the Brethren
The Evangelical Christian Church of the Brethren (Italian: Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica dei Fratelli) is an Italian Protestant denomination.[1]
The church has its own distinct tradition, originated from the missionary work of Piero Guicciardini, but was strongly influenced by the Schwarzenau Brethren.[2][3]
In this respect, the Italian Brethren are part of the Brethren World Assembly, comprising the six denominations of Schwarzenau Brethren (Church of the Brethren, Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International, Dunkard Brethren, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Old German Baptist Brethren, The Brethren Church) and are active within the "International Brethren Conference on Mission". Moreover, the Italian fellowship of Brethren has largely incorporated elements of the Plymouth Brethren tradition, both in the Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren fashion, and has been influenced also by the work of American Independent Baptist missionaries.[2][3]
The denomination includes about 300 local churches and 20,000 members throughout Italy.[3]
See also
- Religion in Italy
- Christianity in Italy
- Protestantism in Italy
- List of Italian religious minority politicians