The Creed of Athanasius of Alexandria (Athanasiev's Creed)

The so-called “Creed of Athanasius of Alexandria” (Athanasiev’s Creed) does not belong to him. It arose on Latin soil and since the 9th century enjoyed great authority throughout the West. It became known to the East quite late, around the 12th century. Regarding the origin of this symbol, science has not yet achieved indisputable results. Its author is called Vincent of Lyrinsky, Honoratus of Arles, Caesarea of ​​Arles, Ambrose of Milan. Its origin was proven in Spain at the end of the 4th or beginning of the 5th century. in the fight against Priscillianism. *The title of the work in Latin is Quicumque. See also: Symbol, recited Confession, like the saints of our Father Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria Symbol of St. Athanasius, also called the "Quicunque Symbol", is of Western origin: in the original it was composed in Latin no earlier than the 2nd half of the 5th century. and contains the Western teaching about the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son (ex Patre et Filio). Until the 7th century. The symbol was not attributed to St. Afanasy. It was subsequently translated into Greek, but the expression “and the Son” was omitted in the translation. In this form, the “Symbol of St. Athanasius" became widespread in the East, in particular, Slavic editions of the Psalter included it as a preface until the beginning of the 20th century. Everyone who wants to be blessed must first of all have a common Christian faith. The one who does not keep it unchanged and genuine will undoubtedly remain lost forever. Our common Christian faith is that we worship one God in Three Persons and Three Persons in one Godhead, without confusing the persons or separating the Divine Essence. The first of these is the Person of the Father, the second is the Person of the Son, and the third is the Person of the Holy Spirit. But the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one One Deity, equal in glory and in eternal greatness. Such is the Father, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father was not created, the Son was not created, and the Holy Spirit was not created. The Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, and the Holy Spirit is infinite. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal, And not three eternal, but One Eternal, also not three uncreated, and not three infinite, but One Uncreated, and One Infinite. Also the Father Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty, and also not three almighty, but One Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, not three Gods, but One God. So the Father is the Lord, the Son is the Lord, and the Holy Spirit is the Lord, not three Lords, but one Lord. For, as Christian truth demands, we recognize each Person as both God and Lord. Also the general Christian faith prevents us from calling three Gods or three Lords. The Father is not created, not created and not begotten. The Son is from the Father and only from the Father - not created or created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son - not created, nor created, nor begotten, but sent. Therefore, there is one Father, and not three Fathers, one Son, and not three Sons, one Holy Spirit, and not three Holy Spirits. And of all three Persons, not one is first, and not one is last, not one is less, and not one is greater, but all three Persons are equally eternal and equally great, so that in all this, as has been said, all three Persons are worshiped as one Godhead, and in one Godhead all three Persons. So, whoever wants to be blessed must understand the three Persons of the Godhead. But for eternal bliss it is necessary to firmly believe that our Lord Jesus Christ became flesh. This is true faith: to believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is alike both God and Man. He is God, as born of the Father before the beginning of time, and Man, as born of the mother in due time. Perfect God and perfect Man with a rational soul in a human body. Equal to God by Divine nature and less than God by human nature. And although He is God and Man, He is not two, but One Christ. But since He is One, it is not the Divine nature that changes into human nature, but human nature that is accepted by God. He is one, but not in such a way that the natures are mixed, but that they form a unity. For just as the rational soul and body form one man, so man and God form one Christ, who suffered for our salvation, descended into the kingdom of death, rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, sat down at the right hand of the Father, and will return to judge the living and the dead. At His coming, all people will be resurrected in their bodies and will give an account of their deeds: those who have done good will go into eternal life, those who have done evil will go into eternal fire. This is our common Christian faith; whoever does not believe this truly and firmly cannot be blessed. You might be interested in: