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The Athanasian Creed
Although it is unfamiliar to most Catholics today, the Athanasian Creed is one of the approved creeds or symbols of the Catholic Church (the others being the Nicene Creed that is recited at Mass and the Apostles' Creed we say in praying the Rosary). It has long been believed to date from the fourth century, the time of Saint Athanasias (c. 297-373), bishop of Alexandria and vigorous opponent of the Arian heresy, which denied the two natures of Christ. These errors, promoted by Arius, a priest of Alexandria, plagued the Church for centuries, though Arianism was condemned by the Council of Nicea I in 325. Some believe that the Athanasian Creed may have been formulated by another Father and Doctor of the Church, Saint Ambrose, archbishop of Milan from 374 until his death in 397.
The Athanasian Creed is a succinct summary of the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation, making very clear by repeating statements in various ways the trinity of Persons in God, and the twofold nature in the one Divine Person of Jesus Christ.
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith.
Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
And the Catholic faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity,
Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance.
For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost.
But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.
Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.
The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated and the Holy Ghost uncreated
The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal.
And yet they are not three Eternals, but one Eternal.
As there are not three Uncreated nor three Incomprehensibles, but one Uncreated and one Incomprehensible.
So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty.
And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.
So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God.
And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord.
And yet not three Lords, but one Lord.
For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord,
So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion to say, There be three Gods or three Lords.
The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten.
The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
And in this Trinity none is before or after other; none is greater or less than another;
But the whole three Persons are coeternal together and coequal, so that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped.
He, therefore, that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe faithfully the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;
God of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man of the substance of His mother, born in the world;
Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting,
Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood;
Who, although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but one Christ:
One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking the manhood into God;
One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.
For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ;
Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead;
He ascended into heaven; He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give an account of their own works.
And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.
This is the Catholic faith; which except a man believe faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved.
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