The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the profession of faith that was established at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and expanded at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. It is recited in every Divine Liturgy and is the foundational statement of belief for all Orthodox Christians.
We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrator, who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen.
We believe 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, 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 of the Virgin Mary and became Man.
And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures, ascended into the heavens; He sits at the right hand of His Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.
Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke in the prophets.
And 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 coming age. Amen.
Understanding the Creed
The Creed expresses the core beliefs of the Orthodox Christian faith. It affirms belief in the Holy Trinity, the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the one holy Church. Every phrase carries deep theological significance and has been carefully preserved for nearly two thousand years.
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the Creed is not merely recited — it is proclaimed with conviction and joy during every celebration of the Holy Eucharist, uniting the faithful with Christians across the centuries who have confessed the same faith.