ROOTED IN THE PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE...

THE ANTIOCHIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AMERICA: STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Creed promulgated by the Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (AD 325) and Constantinople (AD 380) developed and clarified earlier statements of the Christian Faith, particularly in response to Arianism, the proponents of which denied that the Eternal Word of God, made human as Messiah Jesus, is co-eternal with God the Father. The earlier "Rule of Faith" is clearly found in the writings of the second and third century Fathers and was one of the factors used in determining which writings would constitute the Christian New Testament. In credal form, it was professed at one's baptism as a declaration that the one being baptized, and therefore initiated into the Church, the Christian Community, indeed believed what the Church as a whole believes. The Creed of Nicea-Constantinople, usually called the Nicene Creed, is still professed at Baptism and Chrismation (confirmation) in the Eastern Churches (Western Churches generally use a simpler, earlier version, the so-called "Apostles Creed" for this purpose; however, it is less clear on the status of Christ as "God the Son".) as well as at celebrations of the Eucharist in both East and West, where it serves as an affirmation that those participating in the celebration and receiving Holy Communion continue to hold to the Faith professed at their baptism. The Nicene Creed was ratified as the definitive statement of the Orthodox-Catholic Christian Faith by the Council of Ephesus (AD 431), and reads as follows:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
Born of the Father before all ages:
God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God;
Begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father;
By Whom all things were made.
Who, for us humans and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and by the work of the Holy Spirit was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, being made human.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate: He suffered, died and was buried.
On the third day He rose again, 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.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life,
Who proceeds from the Father,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

We confess one baptism for the remission of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.

Amen.

Introduction and format © 1999, 2001, 2006 Fr. Gregory Ned Blevins for the Antiochian Catholic Church in America; may be reproduced for non-profit purposes with acknowledgement of source and copyright.
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