The Nicene Creed should be called the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, because it was formally drawn up at the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicea (325 AD) and at the Second Ecumenical Synod in Constantinople (381 AD). The word "creed" (which comes from the Latin "Credo") "I believe". In the Orthodox Church, the creed is called the Symbol of Faith, which literally means the "bringing together" and the "expression" or "confession" of the faith.
It was put into the first person form "I believe" and used for the formal and official confession of faith at Baptism. The creed is now part of the life of Orthodox Christians and an essential element of the Divine Liturgy at which each person formally and officially accepts and renews his Baptism and membership in the Church.
The Creed is as follows.
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, light of light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father; through him all things were made.
Who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human, and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he suffered and was buried, and rose on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again in glory to judge the living and dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, and who spoke through the Prophets.
In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
