The Symbol of Faith, known as the Creed, is the confession of faith recited at every Divine Liturgy. It was composed at the ecumenical councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), precisely to defend the faith against heresies — every word in it was weighed in centuries of martyrdom and dispute.
The complete text of the Symbol of Faith
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 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, the Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake 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.
A short explanation
The Creed has a precise structure: article I — God the Father, Creator of all that exists, visible and invisible (including the world of angels). Articles II–VII — the Son: birth from eternity, incarnation, passions, resurrection, ascension, second coming. Article VIII — the Holy Spirit, the «Giver of Life». The last four articles: the Church, Baptism, the resurrection of the dead, eternal life — our entire hope, contained in two lines.
When the Creed is recited
- At the Divine Liturgy, before the moment of the transformation of the Gifts;
- At Baptism — by the godparents, who confess the faith on behalf of the child;
- Morning and evening, as part of the prayer rule (see the morning prayers);
- When someone needs strengthening in faith or is going through a temptation of doubt.
Frequently asked questions
Why «catholic» and not «universal»? Both words mean «of the whole world»: the Orthodox Churches use the original Greek word (katholiké) in each language. The Orthodox Church considers herself the continuation of the one Church of the first centuries.
What does «of one essence with the Father» mean? That the Son has the same divine essence as the Father — a truth defended by Saint Athanasius against the heresy of Arius.
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