Latvia was Christianized in the 12th and 13th century, from the East (Orthodox) and the West (Catholic). Part of the Catholic Church adopted the Lutheran Reformation of the early 16th century. During the communist era, atheism was actively promoted. Since then, there has been a revival in the churches, and several new groups have entered the country. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the largest Protestant church. Baptists and Pentecostals are also well represented. The Russian Orthodox Church in Latvia comes under the Moscow Patriarchate, and is therefore indirectly member of the WCC. There is an independent Old Believers church.
