The Trinity and the Creed of St. Athanasius
Prepared by Deacon Bramwell
The Trinity and the Creed of St. Athanasius
Some Episcopal Churches use the Creed of St. Athanasius—also known as the Athanasian Creed—on Trinity Sunday. This is because it offers a detailed summary of the Church’s teaching on the doctrine of the Trinity. But who was Athanasius, why was this creed written, and how is it used in the Church?
Athanasius
Who Was Athanasius?
Athanasius lived in the 4th century and served as the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria. (A patriarch is the head bishop of a major geographic region—in this case, Egypt.) His lifetime coincided with one of the most intense theological debates in Christian history: the conflict between Trinitarianism and Arianism.
What Was Arianism?
Arianism, named after the priest Arius (c. 256–336 AD), was a controversial teaching that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. According to Arius, Jesus was a created being, distinct from and subordinate to God the Father. This view rejected the traditional understanding of the Trinity, in which the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal.
Because the debate caused deep division within the early Church, Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This council condemned Arianism and produced the original version of what we now know as the Nicene Creed.
What Is the Athanasian Creed?
Although traditionally attributed to Athanasius, the creed that bears his name was likely written in the early 6th century, long after his death. It was the first Christian creed to explicitly affirm the equality of the three Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It also strongly emphasizes the full humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, making it a clear response to both Arianism and other early heresies.
Structure and Use:
The Athanasian Creed is divided into two main sections:
The first half focuses on the doctrine of the Trinity.
The second half addresses Christology—the branch of theology concerned with the person and nature of Jesus.
While not used as frequently as the Nicene or Apostles’ Creeds, the Athanasian Creed is still held in high regard, especially in Western Christianity. It is recognized by the Anglican Communion, the Roman Catholic Church, many Lutheran denominations, and some Reformed churches.
On Trinity Sunday, when the Church reflects on the mystery of the Triune God, the Athanasian Creed serves as a powerful and ancient declaration of faith.
