What is the Nicene Creed​?

The Nicene Creed is a foundational statement of Christian faith that emerged from the early church’s need to address theological controversies, particularly Arianism–a heresy that denied the full deity of Christ by claiming He was a created being. Also known as the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, it holds a unique place in Christian history as the only creed universally accepted by Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant churches. While earlier creeds like the Old Roman Symbol existed, the Nicene Creed provides the first detailed affirmation of Christ’s divinity and the Holy Spirit’s deity that gained ecumenical acceptance. The creed systematically addresses key doctrinal issues, carefully articulating orthodox beliefs about the Trinity and the nature of Christ (Christology) in response to various heresies that threatened the church’s understanding of these essential doctrines.