This creed is named after Athanasius (293-373 A.D.), the champion of orthodoxy over against Arian attacks upon the doctrine of the Trinity. Although Athanasius did not write this Creed and is improperly named after him, the name persists because until the 17th century it was commonly ascribed to him. Another name for it is the Symbol Quicunque, this being its opening word in the Latin original. Its author is unknown, but in its present form, it probably does not date back farther than the 6th century. It is not from the Greek Eastern, but from Latin West origin, and is not recognized by the Greek Church today. Apart from the opening and closing sentences, this symbol consists of two parts, the first setting forth the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity (3-28), and the second dealing chiefly with the Incarnation and the two natures doctrine (29-43). This Creed, though more explicit and advanced theologically than the Apostles’ and the Nicene Creeds, cannot be said to possess the simplicity, spontaneity, and majesty of these creeds. For centuries it has been the custom of the Roman and Anglican Churches to chant this Creed in public worship on certain solemn occasions.

HT: Christian Creeds and Confessions Pocket Edition, 9.

1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic (1) faith.
2. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
3. And the Catholic Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity.
4. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.
5. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.
6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.
7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.
8. The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
9. The Father is incomprehensible, the Son is incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit is incomprehensible.
10. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal.
11. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.
12. As also there are not three uncreated, nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.
13. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son is Almighty, and the Holy Spirit is Almighty.
14. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.
15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
16. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord. 18. And yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.
19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord;
20. So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say: There are three Gods, or three Lords.
21. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.
22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.
23. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
25. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another.
26. But the whole three Persons are co-eternal, together and co-equal.
27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
28. He therefore that will be saved: must think thus of the Trinity.
29. Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
30. For the right faith is that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man.
31. God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world.
32. Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
33. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood.
34. Who, although he be God and Man, yet he is not two, but one Christ.
35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the manhood into God.
36. One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.
37. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ.
38. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead;
39. He ascended into heaven, He sits at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty;
40. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
41. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies;
42. And shall give account for their own works.
43. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting. And they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
44. This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

(1) “catholic” means one universal Church across all times, places, and peoples (Eph. 2:14-18).

(2) That is, every Person of the Trinity, not every human person.