The Oriental Orthodox Churches recognize only the three Holy Ecumenical Synods (Councils) of Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus. The Nicene Council, also known as First Ecumenical Council, was held in AD 325 and is one of the most important councils in Christian history. It was originally called by Emperor Constantine in order to address the challenges posed by Arianism. The council established the foundations of Orthodox Christian belief with the Nicene Creed.
The council gave out four documents:
- Confession of faith (Symbol)
- The decision of the date of Easter
- 20 Canons to the question of ecclesiastical discipline, and
- A Synodal letter, sent to all sister Churches to explain the proceedings of the council and thereby a call to obey the decisions of the council.
The Filioque controversy: Amongst the Latin-speaking churches of Western Europe, the words "and the Son" (Filioque) were added to the description of the procession of the Holy Spirit, in what many have argued is a violation of the Canons of the Third Ecumenical Council. Those words were not included by either the Council of Nicaea or that of Constantinople, and hence Eastern Orthodox theologians consider their inclusion to be a heresy.
The Orthodox Churches those who follow the uncorrupted faith of the Three Holy Ecumenical Synods have thus the Creed in the following formula, which being the declaration of Faith and the cream of theological stand point, is recited in all liturgical prayers.
The CREED is read as below (A descriptive biblical analysis is also added):
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one true God (Heb 11:6, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Romans 3:29-31, Eph 4:6)
The Father Almighty (1Cor. 8:6Rev. 1:8)
Maker of heaven and earth (Ex. 20:11, Gen. Ch. 1 &2)
and of all things visible and invisible (Jer. 32:17. Col. 1:16)
And in the one Lord (Acts 10:36)
Jesus (Matt. 1:21)
Christ (John 4:25-26),
the only-begotten Son of God (John 1:14),
begotten of the Father before all worlds(1 John 4:9),
Light of Light, very God of very God (John 1:4, 1 John 1:5-7, John 12:35-37, John 5:18),
begotten, not made (John 8:58),
being of the same substance with the Father (John10:30);
and by whom all things were made (John 1:3); +
who for us men and for our salvation (Mat 1:21)
came down from heaven (John 3:31), +
and was incarnate of the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God (Luke 2:6),
by the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35),
and became man (John 1:14);
and was crucified for us (Mark 15:25) +
in the days of Pontius Pilate (Matt 27:22-26);
and suffered, and died, and was buried (Matt 27:50-60);
And the third day rose again (Matt 28:6)
according to His will (1.Cor 15:4),
and ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51),
and sits on the right side of the Father (Mark 16:19);
and shall come again in His great glory (Matt 25:31),
to judge both the quick and the dead (2 Tim 4:1) ;
whose kingdom shall have no end (Luke 1:33)
And in the one living Holy Spirit (John 14:26),
the life-giving Lord of all (2cor 3:17-18, Is. 6:8, Acts 28:25 Rom 8:2, 2.Cor 3:6),
who proceeds from the Father (John 15:26) [[This is where the Catholics add the phrase “and the Son”]]:
and who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified (Rev. 4:8),
who spoke by the Prophets and Apostles (2 Peter 1:21)
And in the One (John 10:16),
Holy (Eph 5:26-27, 2 Peter 2:5&9),
Catholic (Rom 10:18) [[Catholic" means universal or comprehensive, as well as "relating to the ancient undivided Christian church]]
and Apostolic (Eph 2:20) Church;
and we acknowledge one Baptism (Eph. 4:5)
for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38),
and look for the resurrection of the dead (Rom 6:5),
and the new life in the world to come (Mat. 25:34, Rev. 21:1-7). Amen.
