We believe

Granny and Grandpa’s guests have left for the airport to fly back to Istanbul, so Granny and Grandpa are now having a time of rest and relaxation after a busy few days.

2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed – the foundational statement of Christian belief – was first formulated. To mark this special anniversary our Vicar is giving some in-depth teaching on the Nicene Creed in three weekly evening sessions in church, starting this evening. I’m hoping to make it tonight, and am really looking forward to it.

Co-incidentally, Nicaea (now called Iznik) is just south of Istanbul (Constantinople), where a second Council was held in 381AD to further refine the Nicene Creed. Although she now lives in Istanbul, we learned that T’s brother’s girlfriend, M, grew up in Pergamum, which was one of the seven churches written about in the book of Revelation. All seven churches were located in Asia Minor (in the west of what is now known as Turkey). She delighted me by saying how much she loves the ancient Christian churches and enjoys visiting them.

Nicene Creed (written in 325AD):

We believe in one God, 
the Father, the Almighty, 
maker of heaven and earth, 
of all that is, 
seen and unseen. 
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 
the only Son of God, 
eternally begotten of the Father, 
God from God, Light from Light, 
true God from true God, 
begotten, not made, 
of one Being with the Father; 
through him all things were made. 
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, 
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary 
and was made man. 
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 
he suffered death and was buried. 
On the third day he rose again 
in accordance with the Scriptures; 
he ascended into heaven 
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, 
and his kingdom will have no end. 
We believe in the Holy Spirit, 
the Lord, the giver of life, 
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, 
who has spoken through the prophets. 
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. 
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 
We look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the world to come. 
Amen.