NICENE CREED, TIIE. Frequently called the NIC.ENO-CONSTANTIN ()PONTA N CREED. The most important ancient formula of the Christian faith, and the only one which approaches ecu menical authority. Since the fifth century it has commonly been believed that this creed was adopted at the Council of Niaca. (325), and reaffirmed at Constantinople (381) : but this view is certainly wrong. The creed in question is practically identical with one given by Epipha Dins, in his A nroratus (374), which in turn draws its material from Cyril of Jerusalem (Cotechetical Lectures. 347). and from the symbol actually adopted at Nicrea. This origi nal Nicene formula was drawn up to combat Ari anism (q.v.). and was based upon a creed which had long been used in Caesarea. its leading char acteristic was that, in defining the orthodox doc trine of the Trinity. it asserts the consubstan tiality of the Son with the Father. i.e. that both are of the same essence or substance. (See llo NoorsioN.) Our so-called Nicene Creed is longer and more symmetrieal in construction than the one actually adopted at Nica-a. In the article
on the Holy Spirit, the Eastern Church has al ways used the fonn which reads "And [I believe] in the holy Ghost. . . . who proceedeth from the Father." whereas the NVestern Church says. "NVho proceedeth from the Father and the Son." This difference has proved a prolific source of controversy. (See Ff MOQUE. ) The Nicene Creed finds a place in the liturgies of the Greek. Roman. and Angliean ehurches, and its doctrinal teaching has been accepted by most Protestants.
Consult: Hahn, Bibliotek der Symbole (3d ed., Breslau, 1897) : Schaff, Creeds of Christendom (New York. 1S7.7) ; Hort, Tiro Dissertations (London. 1876) ; Swainson, The Nicene and .t post/es' Creeds (ib., 1875) : Ilefele. History of the connei/s, col, i. (Edinburgh, IS71) : Bindles-, Erumenical Documents of the Faith (London, 1899).