The Nicene Creed
Many people today feel a renewed desire to understand where their faith truly comes from. Recent headlines about Pope Leo XIV praying the Nicene Creed in Nicaea have prompted many to revisit this ancient profession of faith. As you explore the Nicene Creed, you may begin to rediscover the strength and clarity of the faith handed down through generations, shaping believers across cultures, languages and centuries.
For our community here in Marsfield, including families, students, professionals and seekers, knowing the foundations of our faith helps us grow in confidence and unity. The Nicene Creed is more than something we say on Sundays. It is the heartbeat of Christian belief.
The Nicene Creed: The Profession of Faith (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed)
Australia: Roman Missal, Third Edition
I believe in one God,
The Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified.
Who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
The Nicene Creed
Original 381 AD Text Without the Filioque
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 Only Begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all ages.
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one essence with the Father.
Through him 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 became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried.
And on the third day he rose again
according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
who spoke through the prophets.
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 world to come.
Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
The Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
What Is the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed is the central profession of faith used by Catholics, Orthodox Christians and many Protestant communities. It was formed at the Councils of Nicaea in 325 AD and Constantinople in 381 AD as the early Church sought to clearly proclaim who Jesus Christ is. The Creed affirms that Christ is true God and true man, the Saviour who entered history for our redemption.
The Creed is not simply a list of doctrines. It is a declaration of trust in the God who creates, saves and sanctifies. Every time our parish prays the Nicene Creed, our unity deepens. Its words bind us to the faith of the Apostles and to the countless saints who prayed it before us.
Why the Nicene Creed Matters Today
The Nicene Creed shapes every part of Catholic life, including our worship, our sacraments and our understanding of who God is. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it expresses what the Church professes, celebrates, lives and prays. In a world filled with noise and confusion, the Creed remains a clear and steady voice calling us back to the truth of Jesus Christ.
A Short History of the Nicene Creed
The Creed emerged during a period of serious theological debate. Some teachers in the early Church claimed that Jesus was a created being and not truly divine. The bishops gathered at Nicaea, guided by the Holy Spirit, reaffirmed the truth revealed in Scripture: Jesus Christ is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.
This teaching was expanded and finalised at the Council of Constantinople in 381. Today, both Catholics and Orthodox Christians recognise the Nicene Creed as the defining statement of Christian faith.
Pope Leo’s Apostolic Letter In Unitate Fidei
Pope Leo’s apostolic letter In Unitate Fidei offers a timely reflection on the importance of returning to the foundations of our Christian faith. Issued on the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the letter invites all believers to rediscover the Nicene Creed as the living heart of the Church’s proclamation. Rather than treating the Creed as a formula recited out of habit, Pope Leo calls the faithful to pray it with renewed conviction, recognising that its words express the same truth handed down from the Apostles, safeguarded by the early councils and lived by the saints across the centuries. The letter highlights how the Creed anchors us in the unchanging truth of Christ at a moment in history when many feel adrift or uncertain.
A central message of In Unitate Fidei is the importance of Christian unity. Pope Leo emphasises that the Nicene Creed is not merely a statement of doctrine but a bond that unites all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. By drawing attention to the original Creed of 381, he encourages Catholics and Orthodox Christians to recognise their shared heritage. His recent prayer of the Creed in Nicaea with the Ecumenical Patriarch and leaders of other Churches becomes a visible sign of hope, reminding the world that unity grows when Christians return to the central truths that first shaped the Church. For Catholics in Marsfield and everywhere, the letter invites us to let the Creed strengthen our faith and inspire us to seek reconciliation, charity and communion within the Body of Christ.
The Two Versions of the Nicene Creed
There are two primary forms of the Nicene Creed in Christian use today.
- The original Creed of 325 and 381 AD, used by the Eastern Churches, does not include the Filioque.
- The Western Catholic version, which includes the Filioque, the phrase and the Son.
Both versions express the same Christian faith. Both are orthodox. Both proclaim the divinity of Christ and the unity of the Trinity.
Sometimes Catholics encounter the original form of the Creed during ecumenical prayer. This is not a change in doctrine. It is a gesture of respect and unity with the ancient Christian tradition shared by all.
Why Catholics May Hear Different Wordings
In Australia, the Roman Missal translation includes the Filioque. However, in gatherings with Orthodox or other Christian leaders, the Church may use the original text. This reflects charity, dialogue and communion, not division.
What Is the Filioque?
The Filioque is the Latin phrase meaning “and the Son”. It appears in the line:
“who proceeds from the Father and the Son.”
The Catholic Church teaches that this expresses a true and ancient doctrine. The Holy Spirit comes from the Father and the Son, who share one divine nature. This teaching is rooted in Scripture and affirmed in the Catechism.
The Filioque was introduced in the West to clarify the Church’s understanding of the Trinity. It protects the full divinity of Christ and expresses the unity of the Father and the Son in sending the Spirit.
Why the Filioque Became a Point of Disagreement
Over time, differences in language, culture and historical experience shaped how East and West understood this phrase. Despite these differences, the underlying belief remained deeply compatible. When Pope Leo XIV prayed the Creed without the Filioque in Nicaea, it signalled a desire for healing and fraternity, not compromise.
Did Other Popes Also Recite the Original Nicene Creed?
Yes. Several modern Popes have publicly recited the original Nicene Constantinopolitan Creed without the Filioque in ecumenical settings. This has been done prayerfully and intentionally, always in fidelity to Catholic doctrine.
Saint John Paul II
St Pope John Paul II recited the original Creed many times.
- In 1995, at St Peter’s Basilica, during a celebration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, he used the Greek text of the 381 Creed without the Filioque.
- In 2002 at Balamand and in other dialogues with Eastern Patriarchs, he again used the original wording.
He explicitly taught that the Catholic Church accepts the 381 Creed in its original form as fully orthodox.
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI also prayed the Creed in Greek and without the Filioque during several ecumenical encounters.
- In 2010, during the visit of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, he recited the Creed without the Filioque as a sign of respect for the common faith of the first millennium.
- He continued this practice in other meetings with Eastern Church leaders.
Pope Francis
Francis has done the same on numerous occasions.
- In 2014, during his pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, he prayed the original Greek form.
- He repeated this in Assisi in 2016 and in other ecumenical gatherings.
Francis has often stated that returning to the common Creed of the first millennium helps heal the wounds between Catholics and Orthodox.
Why This Is Fully Catholic
The Catholic Church teaches that the Filioque expresses a true doctrine. The original 381 Creed is also fully orthodox. The Filioque is not required when praying the Creed in Greek or in ecumenical contexts. Using the original form honours the unity shared by Christians before the divisions of the second millennium.
The Nicene Creed and the Unity of the Church
Unity is at the heart of the Christian message. Jesus prayed, “May they all be one”, and the Church teaches that unity is a fundamental part of her mission. The Nicene Creed, prayed by Catholics and Orthodox alike, stands as a bridge between Christian traditions.
For Catholics, unity does not mean abandoning doctrine. It means returning together to what we already share: one Lord, one faith, one Baptism and one Creed that proclaims Jesus Christ as Saviour.
What Unity Means for St Anthony’s Parish
Here in Marsfield, unity is lived in everyday ways. It is practised in hospitality, in service, in reaching out to the poor and in welcoming students, families and seekers. When we pray the Nicene Creed together, we join our voices with Christians around the world and across history.
How to Pray the Nicene Creed With Heart
It is easy to recite the Creed without thinking. But when we slow down and pray it attentively, it becomes a moment of encounter with God. As you pray these ancient words, allow them to anchor your week and shape your understanding of who God is and who you are called to be.
A Simple Reflection Exercise
Choose one line of the Creed this week. Perhaps “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life”. Sit with it in prayer. Let it speak to you. Let it guide you. Let it draw you closer to Christ.
What is the full Nicene Creed?
The full Nicene Creed is the profession of faith prayed each Sunday at Mass, expressing the essential beliefs held by the universal Church since the fourth century. It proclaims faith in the Father as Creator, in Jesus Christ as true God and true man, and in the Holy Spirit as the giver of life. The Nicene Creed also affirms the four marks of the Church, Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of the resurrection. Because it is rooted in Scripture and clarified by the early councils, the Nicene Creed remains the most authoritative and unifying statement of Christian belief in history.
When Catholics recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, they join their voices with Christians across centuries and continents. This unity of prayer reminds us that our faith is not a private invention but a shared heritage. The Nicene Creed is the anchor of Christian identity, binding us to the same faith professed by the Apostles, defended by the saints and preserved by the Church. In a world where beliefs can shift quickly, the Nicene Creed offers a stable and trustworthy foundation.
Which Christians reject the Nicene Creed?
Most mainstream Christian traditions accept the Nicene Creed, including Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans and the majority of Protestant denominations. However, some groups reject or do not use the Nicene Creed because they do not accept the divinity of Christ or the Trinitarian structure that the Creed so clearly expresses. These include non-Trinitarian groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints and certain restorationist or revivalist communities that do not align with the doctrinal heritage preserved in the Nicene Creed.
For these groups, the Nicene Creed is often seen as an early Church formulation that does not match their own interpretations of Scripture. In contrast, the Catholic Church views the Nicene Creed as a faithful summary of revealed truth, clarified through prayer, reason and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Creed is not an optional theological add-on. It is a safeguard that preserves the heart of the Gospel and protects the faithful from teachings that diminish the identity of Christ or the mystery of the Trinity.
What is the difference between the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed?
The Apostles Creed is an ancient baptismal formula that summarises the core beliefs of the early Christian community in simple and direct language. It highlights the essential truths of creation, the life of Jesus, the role of the Holy Spirit and the hope of eternal life. The Nicene Creed, however, is more detailed and emerged from the early ecumenical councils as a response to doctrinal controversies about the nature of Christ and the Trinity. It expands on the Apostles Creed to affirm, with precision, that Jesus is true God from true God and consubstantial with the Father.
Because of its clearer theological definitions, particularly regarding Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Nicene Creed is used in the Mass and in most formal liturgical settings. The Apostles Creed is often used for devotional prayer, such as the Rosary, and in catechesis. Both Creeds are precious parts of the Church’s heritage, but the Nicene Creed holds a unique place in expressing the faith that unites the worldwide Church in worship and doctrine.
Why is the Nicene Creed important to Catholics?
The Nicene Creed is important to Catholics because it expresses the fullness of the faith that the Church professes, celebrates and lives. It protects the truth of who Jesus Christ is and clarifies the identity of the Holy Spirit, which is essential for understanding salvation. By affirming the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Church and the sacraments, the Nicene Creed safeguards the heart of the Gospel and keeps the Church anchored to the revelation given by Christ and handed on through the Apostles.
The Nicene Creed is also essential for unity. Every time Catholics stand at Mass and proclaim the Nicene Creed, they join the universal Church in a single profession of faith. This unity strengthens the community, deepens our connection to the saints and reminds us that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. For Catholics in Marsfield and around the world, the Nicene Creed remains a touchstone of identity, mission and hope.
Who wrote the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed was written by the bishops of the early Church gathered at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and later developed at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. These councils were called to address serious controversies about the identity of Jesus Christ and the nature of the Holy Spirit. Guided by prayer and the Holy Spirit, the bishops carefully expressed the Church’s belief in a way that was faithful to Scripture and consistent with the Apostolic Tradition. Their proclamation formed the Creed that Catholics still profess today.
Although no single individual authored the Nicene Creed, its content reflects the lived faith of the early Christian community. The councils did not invent new doctrines. They articulated more clearly what the Church already believed. This is why the Nicene Creed is considered authoritative. It is not a human invention but the Church’s Spirit-guided expression of the Gospel. Through this Creed, the voice of the early Church continues to shape and protect the faith of believers in every generation.
What came first, the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed?
The Apostles Creed came first. It developed in the early centuries as a baptismal formula used in the Christian communities of Rome. Its structure reflects the teaching of the Apostles and the earliest Christian preaching. The Nicene Creed came later, in the fourth century, as the Church needed to respond to misunderstandings and false teachings about the identity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed expanded upon the Apostles Creed to defend the full divinity of Jesus and the unity of the Trinity.
Although the Nicene Creed came after the Apostles Creed chronologically, it does not replace it. Instead, it complements and deepens it. Catholics continue to use both Creeds in different contexts. The Apostles Creed remains central in catechesis and personal devotion, while the Nicene Creed is proclaimed in the Mass as the universal profession of faith. Together, they provide a complete and harmonious expression of Christian belief.
Returning to the Heart of Our Faith
The Nicene Creed leads us back to Jesus Christ, true God and true man, and unites all who believe in him. In a complex world, the Creed stands as a pillar of clarity, hope and truth. If you are seeking a deeper understanding or longing for community, you are warmly invited to join us at St Anthony’s Parish.
About St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Marsfield
St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Marsfield, is a faith community rooted in the teachings of the Church and shaped by the Vincentian spirit of service, welcome and compassion. Our parish has long been a place where families, students from Macquarie University, professionals and seekers gather to encounter Christ through Scripture, sacrament and community. The Nicene Creed, which has been handed down from the early councils of the Church, is central to our life of faith. Each Sunday, as we stand together to profess this Creed, we unite ourselves with the faith of the Apostles and with Catholics and Orthodox Christians across the world.
Guided by our patron, St Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of those who seek the lost, our parish strives to help people seek and find Christ in their daily lives. We live this mission through hospitality, liturgical prayer, outreach to the poor and the ongoing formation of our community in the truths of the faith. In reflecting on the Nicene Creed and the Filioque, and in recognising the Church’s commitment to unity expressed by Popes past and present, St Anthony’s Parish seeks to be a local witness to the universal call to communion. Here in Marsfield, all who desire to deepen their faith are welcome to join us in prayer, service and fellowship.
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