Orthodox Parish of St Cuthbert

Also known as the Symbol of Faith, the Pistevo (Greek for “I believe”), or simply “The Creed” — the 12 articles of the Nicene Creed were  prepared with great wisdom and prudence, as well as with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Preserved and handed down throughout the centuries, the Creed expresses the Christian faith in a concise way. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”(Revelation 2:7).

Below is the Nicene Creed in its final, fullest, form, dating from 381A.D., along with Scriptural references for the expressions used:

I believe in (Romans 10: 8-10; 1 John 4: 15)

One God (Deuteronomy 6: 4, Ephesians 4: 6)

Father (Matthew 6: 9)

Almighty, (Exodus 6: 3)

Maker of heaven and earth, (Genesis 1: 1)

and of all things visible and invisible; (Colossians 1: 15-16)

and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, (Acts 11: 17)

the only-begotten (John 1: 18; 3: 16)

Son of God (Matthew 14: 33; 16: 16)

begotten of the Father before all ages; (John 1: 2)

Light of Light (Psalm 27: I; John 8: 12; Matthew 17: 2,5)

true God of true God, (John 17: 1-5)

of one essence with the Father, (John 10: 30)

through Whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)

Who for us men and for our salvation (I Timothy 2: 4-5)

came down from the heavens (John 6: 33,35)

and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, (Luke 1: 35)

and became man. (John 1: 14)

And He was Crucified for us (Mark 15: 25; I Corinthians 15: 3)

under Pontius Pilate, (Mark 15:15)

He suffered, (Mark 8: 31)

and was buried; (Luke 23: 53; I Corinthians 15: 4)

Rising on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (Luke 24: 1; 1 Cor. 15: 4)

And ascending into the heavens, (Luke 24: 51; Acts 1: 10)

He is seated at the right hand of the Father; (Mark 16: 19; Acts 7: 55)

And He is coming again in glory (Matthew 24: 27)

to judge the living and dead, (Acts 10: 42; 2 Timothy 4: 1)

His kingodom shall have no end; (2 Peter 1: 11)

And in the holy Spirit, (John 14: 26)

Lord (Acts 5: 3-4)

the Giver of life, (Genesis 1: 2)

Who proceeds from the Father, (John 15: 26)

Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, (Matthew 3: 16-17)

Who spoke through the prophets; (I Samuel 19: 20; Ezekiel 11: 5, 13)

In one, (Matthew 16: 18)

holy, (I Peter 2: 5, 9)

catholic (i.e. “universal” Mark 16: 15)

and apostolic Church; (Acts 2: 42; Ephesians 2: 19-22)

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; (Ephesians 4: 5)

I expect the resurrection of the dead; (John 11: 24; I Cor. 15: 12-49)

And the life of the age to come. (Mark 10: 29-30)

Amen. (Psalm 106:48)

The Creed is not merely a bunch of lifeless words that no one really believes, but a crucial part of Orthodox Christian life and worship. This is why in our church today, the Creed is still sung by all the believers gathered together for the Sunday Liturgy.