The Church of England has published a new booklet of biblical reflections and prayers to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
The Nicene Creed, which is one of the foundational statements of Christian belief, was agreed at the Council in AD 325. It was attended by bishops from around the world and convened by the Emperor Constantine.
The Council sought to resolve disputes about the identity of Jesus Christ and affirmed that he is “of one being with the Father”. The Creed was expanded in its present form at the First Council of Constantinople in AD 381. It sets out the Church’s faith in the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and has been recited in Christian worship down the centuries as a shared declaration of belief, unity and hope. It is now shared across all the main Christian traditions.
The new booklet is a 24 day devotional and is called 'We Believe'. Published by Church House Publishing, it explores the theological depth and contemporary relevance of the Nicene Creed – one of the most enduring and universal expressions of Christian faith. It invites readers to engage prayerfully with each phrase of the Creed. Through daily Scripture passages, commentary, prayers and prompts for reflection, the booklet encourages individuals and communities to explore what it means to say “we believe” in the context of today’s world.
Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield and Chair of the Liturgical Commission, said:
“The Nicene Creed has been a cornerstone of Christian belief for 1700 years – a statement of faith that connects us not only to one another, but also to generations before us as well as to Christians across the world today. We Believe is a timely and beautifully written resource that will help churches explore this historic creed afresh, inviting reflection, deepening discipleship, and opening space for theological discovery. I warmly commend it to parishes, groups and individuals across the Church.”
Printed copies are available as single booklets or in packs of ten for use in parishes. The reflections are also available via the Church of England’s Everyday Faith app.