- What is the Symbol of Faith or the Creed?
The Symbol of Faith or the Creed is the brief presentation of the teaching the Christian must believe and confess.
- How it is called this Symbol of Faith ?
The symbol of faith is called the Nicene Constantinople Creed.
- Who indited this Symbol of Faith, where and why ?
This Symbol of Faith was indited by the first two Ecumenical Councils, the Council from Nicea, in 325 and the Council from Constantinople in 381. The first one, by the 318 Holy Fathers who took part at it established the first seven articles that refers at the teaching about God Father and God Son and they were purposefully set against the heresy of Arie and of his followers who said defamatory and humiliating things about the Son of God. The second Ecumenical Council by its 150 Holy Fathers established the last five articles referring at the teaching about God The Holy Spirit, the Holy Church, the Holy Sacraments, the Resurrection of the dead and the eternal life. These last five articles were set against the heretic Macedonius and his followers, who said blasphemous things about the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Constantinople Symbol of Faith was recognized, set and recommended as the highest authority and norm of faith in the Church by all the following Ecumenical Councils.
- Before the Nicene Constantinople Symbol of Faith were there any other symbols of Faith ?
Almost each church from the big cities ha dits own Symbol of Faith, because the Churches could not exist without their Symbol of Faith that was their Catechism, necessary for the missionary work inside and outside. The catechumens who prepared for Baptism had to know by heart the Creed. There are known the Apostolic or Roman Symbol of Faith, the Symbol of Faith of the Church from Neo Caesarea of Pontus, the Symbol of Faith of the Church from Caesarea of Palestine, the Symbol of Faith of the Church from Alexandria and many others. These symbols of faith differed slightly from one another depending on the way they defended the faith of that respective church from the mistakes of the heresies. But they were identical in what regards the main ideas they stated about the Holy Trinity about the plan of salvation, about the Church and the Holy Sacraments.
The Ecumenical Councils from the years 325 and 381 merged these local symbols of faith, completed and perfected them making one from all of them and giving it to the Christian Church as a precious everlasting treasure.
- How many articles has the Creed?
It has 12 articles:
- I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
- And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages;Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten,not created, of one essence with the Father through 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.
- He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
- And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures.
- He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
- And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.
- And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life,Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.
- In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
10.I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
11.I look for the resurrection of the dead,
- And the life of the age to come.
Amen.
80.How many parts has the Creed?
The Creed has four parts:
- About the Holy Trinity (art. I-VIII)
- About the Church (art. IX)
- About the Holy Sacraments (art. X)
- About the future life (art. XI-XII)
- What is the Ist article from the Creed?
The first article is: `I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.`
