On this feast of Christ the King, Pope Leo XVI has released an apostolic letter called "In the Unity of Faith" (In Unitate Fidei).
The Holy Father recounts briefly the history of the Creed and the context of the Council of Nicaea that was held in the year 325, so now 1,700 years ago.
This week, the Pope will join with the leader of the Orthodox Churches to commemorate the anniversary in Turkey, where Nicaea was held. This text is part of the preparations for his trip to Turkey and Lebanon, from November 27 to December 3, during which he will participate in an ecumenical commemoration of this Council on Friday, November 28, at the historic site of this assembly.
Dive into the history and details of the Creed, as well as details of the trip, at our dedicated page here.
Pope Leo writes:
I would like this Letter to encourage the whole Church to renew her enthusiasm for the profession of faith. For centuries, this enduring confession of faith has been the common heritage of Christians, and it deserves to be professed and understood in ever new and relevant ways.
The entire letter has just 12 sections. Read the text here.
The Pope concludes with this prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Holy Spirit of God, you guide believers along the path of history.
We thank you for inspiring the Symbols of Faith and for stirring in our hearts the joy of professing our salvation in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father. Without him, we can do nothing.
Eternal Spirit of God, rejuvenate the faith of the Church from age to age. Help us to deepen it and to return always to the essentials in order to proclaim it.
So that our witness in the world may not be futile, come, Holy Spirit, with your fire of grace, to revive our faith, to enkindle us with hope, to inflame us with charity.
Come, divine Comforter, source of harmony, unite the hearts and minds of believers. Come and grant us to taste the beauty of communion.
Come, Love of the Father and the Son, gather us into the one flock of Christ.
Show us the ways to follow, so that with your wisdom, we become once again what we are in Christ: one, so that the world may believe. Amen.
