The first ecumenical synod was held at Nicaea in A.D. 325, which decided to state the Christian faith in words, that it would clear the doubts about what is the true faith. The synod formulated the fundamental beliefs of all Christians in what has since been known as the ‘Nicene Creed’. The second and third synods at Constantinople and Ephesus expanded this statement of faith to counter various heresies (heterodoxies). To this day, this remains the creed of the Orthodox Church.
Nicene Creed
We believe in one true God. The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in the one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; begotten of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light; Very God of very God; begotten, not make; being of the same substance with the Father; and by whom all things were made; who for us human being and for our salvation, came down from heaven and was incarnate of the holy virgin Mary, mother of God, by the Holy Ghost, and became man; and was crucified for us in the days of Pontius Pilate; and suffered and died and was buried, And on the third day rose again according to His will; and ascended into heaven, and sat on the right hand of his Father; and shall come again in His great glory to judge both the living and the departed; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And in the one living Holy Spirit, the life-giving Lord of all, who proceeds from the Father; and who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets and the apostles. And in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins, and look for the resurrection of the dead: And the New Life in the world to come.
Amen.