The Athanasian Creed
c. 5th–6th century (attributed to Athanasius)
The Athanasian Creed is a Western statement of faith from around the fifth or sixth century that sets out the doctrine of the Trinity and the person of Christ in unusually precise terms, insisting that the three divine Persons are distinct while the Godhead is one.
Full text of the Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated, nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
History and background
Though traditionally attributed to Athanasius of Alexandria, this creed was likely composed in southern France in the 5th or 6th century. It provides the most detailed and precise formulation of Trinitarian and Christological doctrine among the ecumenical creeds. It has been especially valued in Western Christianity for its rigorous articulation of orthodoxy.
How the traditions differ
The Athanasian Creed is received in the West and not in the East; Eastern Orthodox churches have never adopted it, and object to its filioque clause. Within Western Christianity its opening and closing lines — that whoever does not keep this faith "shall perish everlastingly" — are read differently. Lutheran and Anglican confessional documents retain them; many contemporary churches recite the creed rarely, or omit those clauses, on the grounds that they make technical theological precision a test of salvation. Traditions that keep them generally read them as describing the faith itself rather than as a judgement on individuals.
Common questions
Did Athanasius write the Athanasian Creed?
Almost certainly not. Athanasius of Alexandria died in 373 and wrote in Greek; this creed is Latin in origin, shows the influence of Augustine, and is generally dated to the late fifth or early sixth century, most likely in southern Gaul. The attribution is honorific — it reflects his reputation as the defender of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism.
Why is it also called Quicunque vult?
Latin documents are conventionally named for their opening words. The creed begins *Quicunque vult salvus esse* — "Whosoever will be saved" — so it is cited as *Quicunque vult*, especially in Anglican prayer books.
What does the Athanasian Creed teach about the Trinity?
That God is one in substance and three in Person, and that both halves of that sentence must be held without collapsing either. It works through the point attribute by attribute: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each uncreated, each eternal, each almighty, each God — and yet there are not three uncreated, three eternals, three almighties, or three Gods, but one. The repetition is deliberate; it forecloses the two standard errors of confusing the Persons and of dividing the substance.
What does "incomprehensible" mean in this creed?
Not "impossible to understand." It translates the Latin *immensus*, meaning unlimited or unmeasurable — that God is not bounded by space or magnitude. Modern translations often use "infinite" or "immeasurable" for exactly this reason.