INTRODUCTION TO THE CREED

NIHIL OBSTAT & IMPRIMATUR

 NIHIL OBSTAT: a Latin phrase meaning “There is nothing wrong,” it is a certification, coming
from the Censor Librorum delegated by a Bishop, that a book contains nothing contrary to
the Catholic Faith and Morals.

 IMPRIMATUR, a Latin phrase meaning “It can be printed,” it is the permission, coming from
a Bishop, that a book can be printed.

A CATECHIST’S PRAYER
Loving Father, giver of all that is, help me to remember that every gift I have comes from
you. Expand my vision so that I can appreciate your goodness in the world around me.

Jesus, our Redeemer, you are the path to the treasures of my heart and soul. Strengthen my
commitment to be a catechist and deepen my capacity to share your truth with those in my care.

Holy Spirit, Love Divine, all life and energy flows from you. Illuminate my thoughts and
intensify my desire to grow ever deeper in my faith.

I lift up my prayer to you, God—Father, Son, and Spirit—in humility and hope. Amen.
WHAT ARE THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE
CHURCH?
The Catholic Church is like a house based on four pillars:

1. CREED,
2. SACRAMENTS,
3. COMMANDMENTS,
4. OUR FATHER.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE FOUR PILLARS OF CHRISTIANITY?

The Four Pillars correspond to Faith, Public Worship, Morals, and Personal Prayer; without which
the Christian faithful is incomplete.

CREED: representing our faith; what we must believe.

SACRAMENTS: representing our Public Worship; what we must celebrate as a community.

COMMANDMENTS: representing our Morals; what we must do.

OUR FATHER: representing our Personal Prayer; how must we pray.

WHAT IS THE APOSTLES’ CREED?

 The Apostles’ Creed is the summary of the basic truths of Christianity. It is composed of 12
articles, corresponding to the number of the Apostles.

 According to tradition, each of them composed an article under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit.

WHY DID THE APOSTLES COMPOSE THE CREED?

The Apostles composed the Creed for two reasons:

1. To synthesize the teachings of Jesus, which were immense.

2. To preserve the integrity of the Gospel from the danger of adding or removing any belief.

WHY THE CREED IS ALSO CALLED THE SYMBOL OF FAITH?

 The Creed is also called the Symbol of Faith because it certifies the true teaching of Christ.

 At the time of the apostles, a contract was closed by breaking a tablet and giving each party
one half of it. The half-tablet, known as symbolon, was to be attached to the other half
anytime there was a need to authenticate the deal.

WHAT IS THE NICENE CREED?

 The Nicene Creed is the symbol of faith approved during the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

 It was convoked by Emperor Constantine the Great to solve the heresy of Arius, a priest from
Alexandria of Egypt, who denied the divine nature of Jesus.
WHAT IS THE NICENO-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN CREED?
 The Nicene Creed was revised at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, and
thereafter was known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.

 The Council was convened by Emperor Theodosius to declare the divinity of the Holy Spirit
that was denied by Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople.

“The Holy Spirit is God.”

WHERE CAN WE FIND NICEA AND CONSTANTINOPLE?

Nicea and Constantinople are located in modern Turkey.

COMPARISON OF THE TWO CREEDS

How do the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed differ?

 Both Creeds are composed of 12 articles, corresponding to the number of the Apostles, and
divided into three parts: God the Father (The Creator); God the Son (The Redeemer); God
the Holy Spirit (The Sanctifier).

 However, the Nicene Creed is more explicit and detailed concerning the divinity of the Son
(Article 2) denied by Arius, and of the Holy Spirit (Article 8) denied by Macedonius.

 The two Creeds are holy and can be used during the Mass (at the discretion of the
celebrating priest).
THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES
St. Peter – preached in Rome, where he was crucified upside-down in 64 AD.

St. James the Great – preached in Spain, and was beheaded in Jerusalem in 44 AD.

St. John – preached in Asia Minor, and died a natural death in Ephesus in 100 AD.

St. Andrew – preached in Russia, and was crucified upon an X-shaped cross in Greece in 70 AD.

St. Philip – preached in Syria, and was crucified in 54 AD.

St. Bartholomew – preached in Ethiopia, and was skinned alive and then beheaded in the Caspian
Sea in 70 AD.

St. Matthew – preached to the Hebrews, and was axed to death in 60 AD.

St. Thomas – preached in India, and was killed by a spear in Madras in 72 AD.

St. James the Less – preached in Egypt, where he was stoned and clubbed to death in 63 AD.

St. Jude Thaddeus – preached in Edessa, and was crucified in Syria in 64 AD.

St. Simon the Zealot – preached in Egypt, and was crucified in Persia in 74 AD.

St. Matthias – preached in Ethiopia, and was stoned and beheaded in Georgia in 80 AD.