The Ecumenical Creeds

Our English word “ecumenical” derives from the Greek word oikoumenikos, which means
“world-wide.” The three ancient creedal statements given below are called “ecumenical” because
the teachings in them have been affirmed by Christians all over the world, whether they be in
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant churches.

Symbolum Apostolorum The Apostles’ Creed

Latin text from Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, vol. English text from The Common Service Book of the
2, p. 45. Lutheran Church (Philadelphia, 1917), p. 17.

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker
Creatorem caeli et terrae. of heaven and earth.

Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born
Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius
passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He
mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferna, descended into hell; the third day He rose
tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad again from the dead; He ascended into
caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God
omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare the Father Almighty; from thence He shall
vivos et mortuos. come to judge the quick and the dead.

Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy
Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum Christian Church, the communion of saints;
communionem, remissionem peccatorum, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of
carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Amen.

Symbolum Nicæno-Constantinopolitanum The Nicæno-Constantinopolitan Creed

Latin text from The Canons and Decrees of the English text from The Common Service Book of the
Council of Trent, as given in Schaff, Creeds of Lutheran Church (Philadelphia, 1917), p. 16.
Christendom, vol. 2, p. 58.

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visibilium omnium et invisibilium. visible and invisible.

Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the
Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His
ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen Father before all worlds, God of God, Light
de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, of Light, very God of very God, begotten,
genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; not made, being of one substance with the
per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos Father; by whom all things were made; who

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homines et propter nostram salutem for us men, and for our salvation, came
descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de down from heaven, and was incarnate by the
Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was
factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub made man, and was crucified also for us
Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was
resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et buried; and the third day He rose again,
ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. according to the Scriptures; and ascended
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of
vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit finis. the Father; and He shall come again with
glory to judge both the quick and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord
vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et Father and the Son; who with the Father and
conglorificatur: qui locutus est per the Son together is worshipped and
prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I
apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum believe in one holy Christian and apostolic
baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the
expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam remission of sins; and I look for the
venturi saeculi. Amen. resurrection of the dead, and the life of the
world to come. Amen.

Greek Text of the Nicæno-Constantinopolitan Creed

According to Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, vol. 2, pp. 57-8.

Ðéóôåõïìåí åéò åíá èåïí ðáôåñá ðáíôïêñáôïñá, ðïéçôçí ïõñáíïõ êáé ãçò, ïñáôùí ôå ðáíôùí êáé
áïñáôùí.
Êáé åéò åíá êõñéïí Éçóïõí ×ñéóôïí, ôïí õéïí ôïõ èåïõ ôïí ìïíïãåíç, ôïí åê ôïõ ðáôñïò
ãåííåèåíôá ðñï ðáíôùí ôùí áéùíùí, öùò åê öùôïò, èåïí áëçèéíïí åê èåïõ áëçèéíïõ,
ãåííåèåíôá, ïõ ðïéåèåíôá, ïìïïõóéïí ôù ðáôñéq äé ïõ ôá ðáíôá åãåíåôïq ôïí äé çìáò ôïõò
áíèñïðïõò êáé äéá ôçí çìåôåñáò óùôçñéáí êáôåëèïíôá åê ôùí ïõñáíùí êáé óáñêùèåíôá åê
ðíåõìáôïò áãéïõ êáé Ìáñéáò ôçò ðáñèåíïõ êáé åíáíèñïðçóáíôá, óôáõñùèåíôá ôå õðåñ çìùí åðé
Ðïíôéïõ Ðéëáôïõ, êáé ðáíèïíôá êáé ôáöåíôá, êáé áíáóôáíôá ôç ôñéôç çìåñá êáôá ôáò ãñáöáò,
êáé áíåëèïíôá åéò ôïõò ïõñáíïõò, êáé êáèåæïìåíïí åê äåîéùí ôïõ ðáôñïò, êáé ðáëéí åñ÷ïìåíïí
ìåôá äïîçò êñéíáé æùíôáò êáé íåêñïõòq ïõ ôçò âáóéëåéáò ïõê åóôáé ôåëïò.

Êáé åéò ôï ðíåõìá ôï áãéïí, ôï êõñéïí, (êáé) ôï æùïðïéïí, ôï åê ôïõ ðáôñïò åêðïñåõïìåíïí, ôï
óõí ðáôñé êáé õéù óõí ðñïóêõíïõìåíïí êáé óõíäïîáæïìåíïí, ôï ëáëçóáí äéá ôùí ðñïöçôùíq åéò
ìéáí, áãéáí, êáèïëéêçí êáé áðïóôïëéêçí åêêëçóéáíq ïìïëïãïõìåí åí âáðôéóìá åéò áöåóéí
áìáñôéùíq ðñïóäïêùìåí áíáóôáóéí íåêñùí, êáé æùçí ôïõ ìåëëïíôïò áéùíïò. Áìçí.

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Symbolum Quicunque The Athanasian Creed

Latin text from Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, vol. English text from Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, vol.
2, p. 66. 2, p. 66.

Quicunque vult salvus esse: ante omnia opus Whosoever will be saved: before all things it
est, ut teneat catholicam fidem. is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith:
Quam nisi quisque integram inviolatamque Which Faith except every one do keep
servaverit: absque dubio in æternum peribit whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall
perish everlastingly.
Fides autem catholica hæc est: ut unum And the Catholic Faith is this: That we
Deum in Trinitate, et Trinitatem in Unitate worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in
veneremur; Unity;
Neque confundentes personas: neque Neither confounding the Persons: nor
substantiam separantes. dividing the Substance.
Alia est enim persona Patris: alia Filii: alia For there is one Person of the Father:
Spiritus Sancti. another of the Son: and another of the Holy
Ghost.
Sed Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti una est But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son,
divinitas: æqualis gloria, coæterna maiestas. and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the Glory
equal, the Majesty coeternal.
Qualis Pater: talis Filius: talis Spiritus Such as the Father is: such is the Son: and
Sanctus. such is the Holy Ghost.
Increatus Pater: increatus Filius: increatus The Father uncreate: the Son uncreate: and
Spiritus Sanctus. the Holy Ghost uncreate.
Immensus Pater: immensus filius: immensus The Father incomprehensible: the Son
Spiritus Sanctus. incomprehensible: and the Holy Ghost
incomprehensible.
Æternus Pater: æternus Filius: æternus The Father eternal: the Son eternal: and the
Spiritus Sanctus. Holy Ghost eternal.
Et tamen non tres æterni: sed unus æternus. And yet they are not three eternals: but one
eternal.
Sicut non tres increati: nec tres immensi: sed As also there are not three uncreated: nor
unus increatus: et unus immensus. three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated:
and one incomprehensible.
Similiter omnipotens Pater: omnipotens So likewise the Father is Almighty: the Son
Filius: omnipotens Spiritus Sanctus. Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty.
Et tamen non tres omnipotentes: sed unus And yet they are not three Almighties: but
omnipotens. one Almighty.
Ita deus Pater: deus Filius: deus Spiritus So the Father is God: the Son is God: and
Sanctus. the Holy Ghost is God.
Et tamen non tres dii: sed unus est Deus. And yet they are not three Gods: but one
Ita dominus Pater: dominus Filius: dominus God.
Spiritus Sanctus. So likewise the Father is Lord: the Son Lord:
Et tamen non tres domini: sed unus and the Holy Ghost Lord.
Dominus. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord.

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Quia sicut singulatim unamquamque For like as we are compelled by the

personam Deum ac Dominum confiteri, Christian verity: to acknowledge every
Christiana veritate compellimur: Person by himself to be God and Lord:
Ita tres deos, aut tres dominos dicere, So are we forbidden by the Catholic
catholica religione prohibemur. Religion: to say, There be three Gods, or
three Lords.
Pater a nullo est factus: nec creatus, nec The Father is made of none: neither created,
genitus. nor begotten.
Filius a Patre solo est: non factus, nec The Son is of the Father alone: not made,
creatus: sed genitus. nor created: but begotten.
Spiritus Sanctus a Patre et filio: non factus, The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the
nec creatus, nec genitus: sed procedens. Son: neither made, nor created, nor
begotten: but proceeding.
Unus ergo Pater, non tres patres: unus Filius, So there is one Father, not three Fathers: one
non tres filii: unus Spiritus Sanctus, non tres Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not
spiritus sancti. three Holy Ghosts.
Et in hac Trinitate nihil prius, aut posterius: And in this Trinity none is afore, or after
nihil maius, aut minus. another: none is greater, or less than another.
Sed totæ tres personæ coæternæ sibi sunt, et But the whole three Persons are coeternal,
coæquales. and coequal.
Ita, ut per omnia, sicut iam supra dictum est: So that in all things, as aforesaid: the Unity
et Unitas in Trinitate, et Trinitas in Unitate, in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be
venerenda sit. worshiped.
Qui vult ergo salvus esse, ita de Trinitate He therefore that will be saved, must thus
sentiat. think of the Trinity.
Sed necessarium est ad æternam salutem: ut Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting
incarnationem quoque Domini nostri Iesu salvation: that he also believe rightly the
Christi fideliter credat. Incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ.
Est ergo fides recta, ut credamus et For the right Faith is, that we believe and
confiteamur: quod Dominus noster Iesus confess: that our Lord Iesus Christ, the Son
Christus Dei Filius, Deus et homo est; of God, is God and Man;
Deus ex substantia Patris, ante secula God, of the Substance of the Father;
genitus: et homo ex substantia matris, in begotten before the worlds: and Man, of the
seculo natus. Substance of his Mother, born in the world.
Perfectus Deus: perfectus homo, ex anima Perfect God: and perfect Man, of a
rationali et humana carne subsistens. reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
Aequalis Patri secundum divinitatem: minor Equal to the Father, as touching his
Patre secundum humanitatem. Godhead: and inferior to the Father as
Qui licet Deus sit et homo; non duo tamen, touching his Manhood.
sed unus est Christus. Who although he be God and Man; yet he is
Unus autem, non conversione divinitatis in not two, but one Christ.
carnem: sed assumptione humanitatis in One; not by conversion of the Godhead into
Deum. flesh: but by taking of the Manhood into
Unus omnino; non confusione substantiæ: God.
sed unitate personæ. One altogether; not by confusion of
Substance: but by unity of Person.
Nam sicut anima rationalis et caro unus est For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one

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homo: ita Deus et homo unus est Christus. man: so God and Man is one Christ;
Qui passus est pro nostra salute: descendit Who suffered for our salvation: descended
ad inferos: tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. into hell: rose again the third day from the
dead.
Ascendit ad cælos: sedet ad dexteram Dei He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the
Patris omnipotentis. right hand of the Father God Almighty.
Inde venturus iudicare vivos et mortuos. From whence he shall come to judge the
quick and the dead.
Ad cuius adventum omnes homines At whose coming all men shall rise again
resurgere habent cum corporibus suis; with their bodies;
Et reddituri sunt de factis propriis rationem. And shall give account for their own works.
Et qui bona egerunt, ibunt in vitam æternam: And they that have done good shall go into
qui vero mala, in ignem æternum. life everlasting: and they that have done evil,
into everlasting fire.
Hæc est fides catholicæ: quam nisi quisque This is the Catholic Faith: which except a
fideliter firmiterque crediderit, salvus esse man believe faithfully, he can not be saved.
non poterit.

Although the “definition of Chalcedon” is not as well known as the three creeds given above, it
does have a similar ecumenical character, and it is often mentioned in connection with them.

Symbolum Chalcedonense The Definition of Chalcedon

Latin text according to Schaff, Creeds of English text from Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, vol.
Christendom, vol. 2, p. 63. 2, p. 62.

Sequentes igitur sanctos patres, unum We, then, following the holy Fathers, all
eundemque confiteri Filium et Dominum with one consent, teach men to confess one
nostrum Jesum Christum consonanter omnes and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the
docemus, eundem perfectum in deitate et same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in
eundem perfectum in humanitate; Deum manhood; truly God and truly man, of a
verum et hominem verum eundem ex anima reasonable soul and body; consubstantial
rationali et corpore; consubstantialem Patri with the Father according to the Godhead,
secundum deitatem, consubstantialem nobis and consubstantial with us according to the
eundem secundum humanitatem; ‘per omnia Manhood; in all things like unto us, without
nobis similem, absque peccato’ (Heb. iv.): sin; begotten before all ages of the Father
ante secula quidem de Patre genitum according to the Godhead, and in these latter
secundum deitatem; in novissimis autem days, for us and for our salvation, born of
diebus eundem propter nos et propter the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
nostram salutem ex Maria virgine, Dei according to the Manhood; one and the same
genitrice secundum humanitatem; unum Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be
eundemque Christum, filium, Dominum, acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly,
unigenitum, in duabus naturis inconfuse, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the
immutabiliter, indivise, inseperabiliter distinction of natures being by no means

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agnoscendum: nusquam sublata differentia taken away by the union, but rather the
naturarum propter unitionem, magisque property of each nature being preserved, and
salva proprietate utriusque naturae, et in concurring in one Person and one
unam personam atque subsistentiam Subsistence, not parted or divided into two
concurrente: non in duos personas partitum persons, but one and the same Son, and only
aut divisum, sed unum eundemque Filium et begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus
unigenitum, Deum verbum, Dominum Christ, as the prophets from the beginning
Jesum Christum; sicut ante prophetae de eo have declared concerning him, and the Lord
et ipse nos Jesus Christus erudivit et patrum Jesus Christ himself has taught us, and the
nobis symbolum tradidit. Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down
to us.