Symbolum Nicænum: Nicene Creed

The Symbolum Nicænum, or Nicene Creed, has a complex history. It was first promulgated at the Council of Nicea (325), though in an abbreviated form from what we have below. St. Athanasius attributes its composition to the Papal Legate to the Council, Hossius of Cordova. The Creed is also sometimes called the Nicene-Constantinoplitan Creed since it appears in the Acts of the Council of Constantinople (381), but it is clear that this Council is not the source of that composition for it appears in complete form in the Ancoratus of Epiphanius of Salamis some seven years earlier in 374. In any case, it was this text that appears in the Acts of the Council of Constantinople that was formally promulgated at Chalcedon in 451 and has come down to us as our present Nicene Creed.

It was at the councils of Nicea and Constantinople that the true nature of Jesus was defended against two heresies that had sprung up. The Arians denied Christ's divinity and the Monophysites denied Christ's humanity. The councils, drawing upon the traditions handed down to them from the Apostles, condemned both heresies and declared that Jesus was indeed both true God and true man. In the 11th century this creed became part of the Mass. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Symbolum Nicænum.




Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem cæli et terræ, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible.
Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia sæcula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. And born of the Father, before all ages. God of God: Light of Light: true God of true God. Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made.
Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de cælis. Here kneel down. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: et homo factus est.

Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. Here kneel down. And became incanate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man.
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in cælum, sedet ad dexteram Patris.

He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, 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.
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria iudicare vivos et mortuos, cujus regni non erit finis.

And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, of whose kingdom there shall be no end.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, proceeding from the Father and the Son.
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur, et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas.

Who together, with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified: Who spoke by the prophets.
Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam.

And in one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi sæculi. Amen.

I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.