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A parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese
The Nicene - Constantinopolitan Creed
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (also called the Nicene Creed, the Icon or Symbol of Faith, the Pistevo, or simply the Creed) is that creed formulated at the First and Second Ecumenical Councils. It was defined by the Holy Fathers of those first two councils (held in Nicea and Constantinople, respectively) to combat various heresies: notably Arianism, Apollinarianism, Macedonianism (also called Pneumatomachianism), and Chiliasm.
Some scholars believe that the Creed promulgated by the First Ecumenical Council
was based on an earlier baptismal creed used in Palestine (the
Apostles' Creed), while others regard its more likely origin as being a
creed issued early in 325 A.D. in Antioch, a so-called "Syrian Creed."
The Creed as it now stands was formed in two stages, and the one in use today in the Orthodox Church reflects the revisions and additions made at the Second Ecumenical Council. Some centuries later, the Roman Catholic Church attempted a unilateral revision of the Creed by the addition of the Filioque, thus being one of the causes of the Great Schism between Rome and the rest of the Church.
The Coptic church has a tradition that the Nicene Creed was authored by St. Athanasius of Alexandria, whose theology was instrumental at the Nicene council, despite his being only a deacon at the time.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten
of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, True God of True God,
Begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things
were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was
incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and
was buried;
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead,
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who
proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together
is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the Prophets;
And I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the Resurrection of the dead,
And the Life of the age to come. Amen.
*Note: as recited in Church, we use the first person singular,
"I believe...," throughout the Creed, although, as a conciliar decree,
it was originally set down in the plural, "We believe...."
Call or
write to the Priest John or Deacon Vladimir.
We would be delighted to answer any questions you might have about
Orthodoxy, the Orthodox Christian Faith, and the Holy Orthodox
Church. Please Come and See for your self! As always, our
doors and hearts are open to all.
Copyright © [St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Church]
All rights reserved.
Revised:
July 08, 2010
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