Last week we considered three ways Constantine the Great shaped the world. Today we look at a fourth – he convened The Council of Nicaea, which was the first of the seven major church councils. 

The council – which unfolds a bit more like a Chicago political conference than you might expect, and which also includes a cameo appearance by Santa Claus (you’ll have to listen to understand) – is remarkable for many reasons. One of the most remarkable is the way it displays the hand of God. 

Below you will find three things. The first is the Creed of Nicaea. As I will explain, this is not the same thing as the Nicene Creed, but I thought you might like to see it all the same. The second is a 16th century painting of the gathering. The third is a painting that shows Arius defeated and under the feet of Constantine. 

The Creed of Nicaea

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten of his Father, of the substance. 

God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance[i] with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be in heaven and in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation came down [from heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and on the third day he rose again and ascended into heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead. 

And we believe in the Holy Ghost. 

And whosoever shall say that there was a time when the Son of God was not or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence from the Father or that he is a creature, or subject to change or conversion — all that to say, the catholic[ii] and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.