Beliefs

In antiquity numerous affirmations of faith (creeds) were used by Christians. These creeds became the confession of faith for the newly baptized and chrismated Christian child of God. Because of numerous controversies that questioned the divinity of Christ, the Fathers of the First Ecumencial Council (325 AD) established a confession of faith that was circulated and recited by the faithful. A second council held in Constantinople (381 AD) added the section concerning the work and role of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, what is commonly called the "Nicene Creed" is really the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed or sometimes called the "Symbol of Faith. In the original form of the Creed, the first person plural was used, "We believe in one God..." The plural was used because the Creed was the expression of the Fathers who assembled for the council. Later the Creed became used as a personal confession of faith before baptism. For more information on the development of Christian creeds see J.N.D Kelly Early Christian Doctrines (San Francisco, CA; Harper Collins, 1978) and Alexander Schmemann’s Celebration of Faith Vol. 1 (Crestwood, NY; St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1991).

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 became man. And He 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 sits 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 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 by 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.

What We Believe