Celebrating 1700 Years of the Nicene Creed: One Faith, One Church

August: 7, 2025: In this Jubilee Year 2025, the Catholic Church and many Christian communities around the world mark a profound historical and spiritual milestone: 1,700 years since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.), where the foundational truths of our faith were solemnly proclaimed in the form of the Nicene Creed. Far from being a mere relic of ancient theology, the Creed is a living profession of faith that Catholics recite every Sunday. It is a unifying declaration, echoing the voice of the apostolic Church across centuries, cultures, and continents. This anniversary is a timely invitation to rediscover the beauty and power of the Creed in our personal and communal life.

1. The World of 325 A.D.: Why was the Council convened?

The early fourth century was a pivotal time for Christianity. With the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D., Emperor Constantine legalised Christianity, ending centuries of persecution. Yet, peace outside the Church soon gave way to theological turmoil within. A priest named Arius, from Alexandria, began teaching that Jesus Christ was not truly divine, but a created being: “There was a time when the Son was not,” in other words, “there was a time, when he did not exist.” It conveys the idea that the Son Jesus Christ was not eternal but was created by the will of the Father and thus had a beginning. This belief was known as Arianism, which spread rapidly and caused widespread division among the believers.

To resolve the crisis and restore unity, Emperor Constantine convened the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, bringing together over 300 bishops from across the Christian world. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they debated, discerned, and prayed, seeking to define the true faith passed down from the apostles.

2. What did the Council of Nicaea declare?

The Council firmly rejected Arianism as heresy and produced a clear, authoritative profession of faith: the Nicene Creed. Here we have some of the key affirmations which include:

a. Jesus is “begotten, not made” – He is not a creature, but divine.

b. He is “consubstantial with the Father” (homoousios – The Greek word ὁμοούσιος, transliterated as homoousios, means “of the same essence” or “of the same substance” – of the same divine nature).

c. He is Eternal God – not a lesser or subordinate being.

d. The Council also set a common date for the celebration of Easter, promoting unity in liturgical life.

Though slightly expanded in 381 A.D. at the Council of Constantinople, the Creed remains unchanged in its core affirmations. To this day, it unites Christians in their most basic beliefs.

3. What does the Church teach us today?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the singular importance of the Nicene Creed in the life of faith: “The Niceno-Constantinopolitan or Nicene Creed draws its great authority from the fact that it stems from the first two ecumenical councils (...) It remains common to all the great Churches of both East and West” (CCC, n.195). Moreover, it affirms that “To say the Credo with faith is to enter into communion with God... and also with the whole Church” (CCC, n.197).

In harmony with this teaching, St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397), a revered Doctor of the Church and one of the eminent Latin Fathers, eloquently encapsulates the significance of this profession of faith: “This Creed is the spiritual seal, the meditation of our hearts, and our ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul.”

Perhaps, when we proclaim the Creed, we are not simply reciting a formula, but we are entering into a living communion with God, the Church, and the saints through the ages.

4. The Nicene Creed is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture

Every line of the Nicene Creed echoes the truths of the Holy Scriptures. A few key scriptural references include:

a. “One God, the Father Almighty…” – Deut 6:4

b. “Begotten, not made…” – Jn 1:1–14

c. “For our salvation… He came down from heaven” – Jn 3:16

d. “Crucified under Pontius Pilate…” – Mk 15:15

e. “Rose again on the third day…” – 1 Cor 15:4

f. “We believe in the Holy Spirit…” – Jn 14:26; Acts 2

g. “The resurrection of the dead…” – 1 Thes 4:16–17

The Creed is, in essence, Scripture summarised, Gospel condensed into confession of faith.

5. Living the Creed today

For today’s Christians, the Creed is not merely a weekly ritual; it is a way of life. It challenges and inspires us to:

a. Believe in God as Father and Creator, who lovingly sustains us.

b. Follow Jesus Christ, true God and true man, as our Saviour.

c. Trust in the Holy Spirit, who continues to guide and sanctify the Church.

d. Participate in a Church that is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.

e. Live in hope of Resurrection and Eternal life.

As the Catechism reminds us: “Believing in God affects the whole of our life. It means coming to know God’s greatness and majesty (...) and trusting in him in every circumstance.” (CCC, nn. 222–227).

6. 1700 Years Later: A Time to Recommit

The 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed is more than a commemoration; it is a summons to renewal. As individuals, families, and parishes, we are invited to:

a. Reflect more deeply on what we believe and why we believe it.

b. Offer catechetical sessions, seminars, or study groups focused on the Creed.

c. Use this opportunity to help the children, youth, and catechumens to understand the faith they profess.

Conclusion:

For 1,700 years, the Nicene Creed has united Christians across time, space, and culture. It has been proclaimed by martyrs, monks, missionaries, and millions of faithful in every corner of the world. When we say “I believe…”, we join a great cloud of witnesses, echoing a faith that is ancient, apostolic, and alive. As St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians exhorts: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly (...) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Col 3:16–17)

May this anniversary of the Nicene Creed renew in us the joy of believing and the commitment to live the truth of Christ boldly and lovingly in our world.

Celebrating 1700 Years of the Nicene Creed: One Faith, One Church

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