nicene

Everyday

1. (church) Nicene describes something connected with Nicaea, an ancient city in what is now Turkey, where Christian leaders met in a great council. tree →
2. (church) The Nicene Creed is a short statement of what Christians believe about God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; many churches say it together at services. tree →

In the lessons

In church life and religious education the word is almost always seen in "the Nicene Creed", which begins "We believe in one God". Saying it together is a way for Christians of many churches (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and others) to declare the same faith. Phrases: "the Nicene Creed", "the Council of Nicaea".

Examples

• On Sunday the whole church stood to say the Nicene Creed. tree →
• The Nicene Creed begins, "We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty." tree →
• Our RE teacher explained that the Nicene Creed was agreed by a council of bishops. tree →
• Christians believe what the Nicene Creed says about the Trinity. tree →
• Many churches around the world use the Nicene Creed. tree →
• Grandma knows the Nicene Creed by heart. tree →

Note

It is a proper adjective, so it takes a capital letter: Nicene. Pronounced NY-seen. It is used almost only in "the Nicene Creed" and "the Nicene Council". A "creed" is a statement of beliefs. Do not confuse it with the Apostles' Creed, another, shorter Christian creed.