Which creed
Nicene on Sundays and feasts. Apostles' at the daily offices and at baptism. Beyond that, local custom.
| Service | Creed |
|---|---|
| Principal Sunday eucharist | Nicene |
| Principal feasts | Nicene |
| Weekday eucharist | Often omitted, or Apostles’ — local custom |
| Morning and Evening Prayer | Apostles’ |
| Baptism | The interrogative form of the Apostles’ Creed |
| All-age or family services | An authorised affirmation of faith, or none |
Why two creeds
The Apostles’ Creed is the older and shorter, and grew out of the questions asked at baptism — which is why it is still used in its question-and-answer form there. The Nicene Creed is the longer conciliar statement of 325 and 381, and is the creed of the eucharist across the Western church.
Can a creed be left out?
At the principal service of a Sunday or a principal feast, no — a creed or an authorised affirmation of faith is expected. On weekdays and at services of the word there is considerably more latitude, and Common Worship provides several authorised affirmations of faith which may be used in place of a creed where that is pastorally appropriate.
The filioque
Common Worship prints the Nicene Creed with and the Son in the clause about the Spirit, and also permits the text without it on ecumenical occasions. If your parish has views on this, it is a settings decision you make once.
Questions
Which creed is used at a Sunday Communion service?
The Nicene Creed, at the principal service of a Sunday and on principal feasts. The Apostles' Creed belongs to Morning and Evening Prayer and to baptism.
Can the creed be omitted?
Not at the principal service of a Sunday or principal feast, where a creed or an authorised affirmation of faith is expected. On weekdays and at services of the word there is more latitude.