A lot has changed in the life of the Church over the past 1,700 years, but the Nicene Creed we recite together at each Mass continues to articulate what we believe and shapes our relationship with God.
The 2025 Jubilee Year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the first ecumenical council in Nicaea, which developed the creed stating that ‘the Son is consubstantial with the Father.’ To mark the occasion, the Archdiocese of Edmonton is launching a seven-part catechesis series on the Nicene Creed on Feb. 13.
The series begins and ends with a reflection from Archbishop Richard Smith. Each session will reflect on an aspect of the Nicene Creed, beginning from what it is and why it’s important.
The first presentation will be led by Deacon Cyril Kennedy, on the history and importance of the Nicene Creed to both the Roman and Eastern rites.
“It’s really the definitive statement of faith,” said Deacon Kennedy, director of liturgy for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, who teaches at both Newman Theological and St. Joseph’s colleges.
“No other council or creed has had the authority that the Nicene Creed has, in the Catholic Church both east and west. The Nicene Creed has real ecumenical importance because its used by every apostolic church. It’s really the privileged creed of the Catholic Church.”
The creed dates back to the First Council of Nicaea in 325AD, a meeting of bishops to discuss the nature of Jesus, His origin and His relationship to God the Father. The creed was revised and completed at the second ecumenical council, held in Constantinople in 381.
Initially, creeds were used at baptisms, and now it is part of the Holy Mass “both as a sign of what we believe and also because there is something spiritual,” Kennedy explains.
“There is a spiritual effect of saying of the creed. The statement of faith there actually prepared us to then celebrate the Eucharist. Logically, it’s not a prayer. But if you say it prayerfully, it becomes a prayer.”
Beginning with the words “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible”, the Nicene Creed is a reminder of our relationship with God Himself.
“Part of the way we enter into a relationship with God is through words and understanding the mysteries of the faith,” Kennedy said. “Our relationship with God is precisely that. That’s why children can be baptized before they can articulate what they believe — because the relationship is already there. Yet, the relationship needs to grow to include knowledge – in other words, the words of the creed – to be more substantial.”
Praying the Nicene Creed at Mass is an invitation to dig deeper into the richness of our faith:
“It’s important, and often life-giving, to get into the mysteries of the faith that the creed contains. The deeper the truth of the faith, the more it makes sense to spend time, repeated time, getting to know them.”
The Nicene Creed series, launched on the anniversary of the first ecumenical council, demonstrates its importance and significance. But even that, Kennedy said, wouldn’t do justice to the Nicene Creed. It is a reminder to us as individuals to take the text more seriously, and less as a routine, part of the Mass.
“By saying these words, you’re putting in front of yourself the truths of salvation and those truths of salvation are something that – until you’re canonized as a saint – you need to be reminding yourself of every day.”
The first session of the series takes place at Holy Family Parish, 75 Poirier Avenue, St. Albert at 7 p.m. on February 13. No registration required. Everyone is welcome.
Livestream: youtube.com/live/QC4_Shxt-go
