Year of Faith: Christ

From the Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, which means “anointed.” It became the name proper to Jesus because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission of priest, prophet, and king, signified by his anointing as “Messiah,” “Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 436).

The name Christian is derived from that of Christ himself. The name refers to all those who have been anointed through the gift of the Holy Spirit in baptism; hence, the followers of Christ, the members of the Christian Church.

According to Acts 11:26, “It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians” (CCC 1289).

—Evangelization and Catechesis Office, Denver Biblical and Catechetical schools