Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed (Greek: Σύμβολον τῆς Νίκαιας, Latin: Symbolum Nicaenum) is the profession of faith or creed that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It forms the mainstream definition of Christianity for most Christians.^[1]

It is called Nicene /ˈnaɪsiːn/ because, in its original form (not the form used today), it was adopted in the city of Nicaea (present day Iznik in Turkey) by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.^[2]

The Nicene Creed has been normative for the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox churches, the Anglican Communion, and Protestant denominations. It forms the mainstream definition of Christianity itself in Nicene Christianity.^[1]

The Apostles’ Creed (in its present form later than either form of the Nicene Creed, but in its original form earlier than them) is also broadly accepted in the West, but is not used in the Eastern liturgy.^[3] One or other of these two creeds is recited in the Roman Rite Mass directly after the homily on all Sundays and solemnities (Tridentine feasts of the first class). In the Roman Catholic Church, the Nicene Creed is part of the profession of faith^[4] required of those undertaking important functions within the Church.^[5]

In the Byzantine Rite the Nicene Creed is always sung or recited at the Divine Liturgy^[6] immediately preceding the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer) and is also recited daily at compline,^[7] as well as at sundry other services.

For English translations of the Nicene Creed in current use, see English versions of the Nicene Creed.

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten from the Father before all worlds,  light of light, very God of very God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things were made, Who because of us men and for our salvation came down from the heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man, and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures and ascended to heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father, and will come again with glory to judge living and dead, Whose kingdom will have no end;

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is together worshipped and together glorified, Who spoke by the prophets; We believe one holy Catholic and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins; we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.