Emperor Constantine and the Fathers of the First Council of Nicaea of 325 holding the Niceno- Constantinopolitan Creed of 381

 The purpose of a creed is to act as a yardstick of correct belief.  The creeds of Christianity have been drawn up at times of conflict about doctrine: acceptance or rejection of a creed served to distinguish believers and deniers of a particular doctrine or set of doctrines.  For that reason a creed was called in Greek a σύμβολον, a word that meant half of a broken object which, when placed together with the other half, verified the bearer's identity.  The Greek word passed through Latin "symbolum" into English "symbol", which only later took on the meaning of an outward sign of something

 This revised text begins with ‘ I believe’  To assert our personal faith together with other believers  Each of us has to say our yes over and over again  Literal translation of the Latin CREDO

 Makes this line more precise  Some things that are visible by nature are actually unseen  Your relatives who live in Lanarkshire are visible but unseen to you  We believe that God is the maker not only of things we cannot see  But also realities that are invisible:  Saints  Angels  These occupy our worship space!

 This connects more closely with the Gloria  Jesus did not just materialise as the Son of God  But we also believe that he was not a created  He we intentionally begotten  His presence has always been part of the divine plan

 This phrase connects with the Gospel of John:  In the beginning was the word and the word was with God…..  We use this phrase in the hymns of the Christmas liturgy  Jesus dwelt with the Father before time began  This points towards the full identity of Jesus  He was, he is and he will be……

 Replaces the expression: of one Being  It describes the relationship of Jesus with the Father  This word is closer to the Latin  Consubstantialem  The question of how Jesus relates to the Father is important  Same substance as  Jesus in not like anything else or anyone else

 This is more directly linked to the Latin…  Incarnatus est  Links with Johns Gospel  My flesh is real flesh  My blood is real blood  Jesus didn’t take on the appearance of being human  He is fully human

 This sticks more closely to the Latin  And is translated in this way throughout the Missal  Connects with Qui cum patre er filio simul adoratur  Our doctrine of the Trinity….

 This replace ‘we acknowledge’ is more direct in expressions  Corresponds to the Latin Confiteor  Means in this context to profess belief in….  Involves head and heart

 A clear translation of the Latin  Resounds with confidence  We are a people of hope  An Easter people

 We echo what Catholics have prayed through all the centuries  We become part of a chain of believers  Praying this is like a catechetical review – it reminds us of the basics of our faith  Role of the Father as Creator  What we believe in Jesus  His role in the Trinity  Role of the Holy Spirit  The place of the Church  Belief in everlasting life