The iconic Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple. FILE PHOTO

The powerful and influential Iglesia ni Cristo was founded by Felix Manalo on July 27, 1914.

Manalo became the first executive minister of the church. The child of Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacia Manalo, and raised as a Catholic, Manalo became a Protestant preacher and then eventually established his own religion and proclaimed himself the last messenger of God.

Despite persecution during its early years, when it was called a cult, the Iglesia ni Cristo continued to grow; today, it counts millions of believers in the Philippines and in other parts of the world.

When Felix died on April 12, 1963 at the age of 76, some non-members predicted the fall of Iglesia. This did not happen and in fact its membership continued to grow in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and Greece.

Eraño Manalo, the fifth son of Felix, assumed the post of executive minister on April 23, 1963 and became the second head of Iglesia ni Cristo.

The family remained close to each other. Eraño became instrumental in the expansion of the church worldwide. His first worship was held on July 27, 1968 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He was married to Cristina Villanueva with whom he has six children, namely: Eduardo, Lolita, Erlinda, Liberty, Felix Nathaniel II, and Marco Eraño.

He died in 2009 and was succeeded by his eldest son Eduardo.

Eduardo became the church’s executive minister on September 7, 2009. He got married to Lynn Ventura on January 2, 1982.

On July 21, 2014, the Iglesia ni Cristo inaugurated Ciudad de Victoria, a sprawling complex in Bocaue, Bulacan which includes the Philippine Arena, a 55,000-seater amphitheater.

READ: Iglesia Ni Cristo celebrates 100 years

READ: INC centennial event sets world record: crowd at Bocaue said to have reached 2M

Members of Iglesia ni Cristo are known for their strict obedience in following the teachings and rules of their church; this spirit of obedience is the source of the church’s political influence in the Philippines, because members often vote as a bloc.

On Thursday, however, Eduardo’s mother and brother were expelled from the church.

READ: INC expels mother, brother of Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo

A video almost two minutes long also circulated online after Felix Nathaniel II or Angel Manalo, Eduardo’s brother, appealed to the public for help, saying his life and that of his mother’s were in danger.

The church, however, has officially denied the accusation.