The Athanasian Creed
The mystery and majesty of the Trinity
About the Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed, also known as the Quicunque Vult ("Whoever wishes"), is a Christian statement of belief focused on Trinitarian doctrine and Christology. While traditionally attributed to Athanasius (AD 296–373), it was likely composed in the 5th or 6th century.
This creed is the most detailed of the three ecumenical creeds and provides an extensive explanation of the Trinity—how God is one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Creed (Summary)
Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic* faith.
Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.
Now this is the catholic faith:
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,
neither blending their persons
nor dividing their essence.For the person of the Father is a distinct person,
the person of the Son is another,
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.The Father is immeasurable,
the Son is immeasurable,
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.The Father is eternal,
the Son is eternal,
the Holy Spirit is eternal.And yet there are not three eternal beings;
there is but one eternal being.So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings;
there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being....
Thus the Father is God,
the Son is God,
the Holy Spirit is God.And yet there are not three gods;
there is but one God....
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation
that one also believe in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully.Now this is the true faith:
That we believe and confess
that our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son,
is both God and human, equally.He is God from the essence of the Father,
begotten before time;
and he is human from the essence of his mother,
born in time.This is the catholic faith:
one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.
*"catholic" here means "universal"—the worldwide Church of all believers, not a specific denomination.
Key Teachings
The Athanasian Creed emphasizes:
- The Trinity — One God in three distinct persons
- Equal Divinity — Father, Son, and Spirit are equally God
- Unity of Essence — Though three persons, there is one divine nature
- Christ's Two Natures — Jesus is fully God and fully human
- Coeternity — All three persons exist eternally
- The Incarnation — God became human without ceasing to be God