Youcat commented through CCC. Question n. 26 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 26 - Part II . What are Creeds?

(Youcat answer - repeated) Creeds are brief formulas of faith that make it possible for all believers to make a common profession.     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 187) Such syntheses are called "professions of faith" since they summarize the faith that Christians profess. They are called "creeds" on account of what is usually their first word in Latin: credo ("I believe"). They are also called "symbols of faith". (CCC 188) The Greek word symbolon meant half of a broken object, for example, a seal presented as a token of recognition. The broken parts were placed together to verify the bearer's identity. The symbol of faith, then, is a sign of recognition and communion between believers. Symbolon also means a gathering, collection or summary. A symbol of faith is a summary of the principal truths of the faith and therefore serves as the first and fundamental point of reference for catechesis. 

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Brief formulas of this kind can be found already in the letters of St. Paul. The early Christian Apostles’ Creed has a special dignity, because it is thought to be a summary of the faith of the Apostles. The Nicene Creed is highly esteemed because it resulted from the great councils of the Church when she was still undivided (Nicaea, 325; Constantinople, 381) and is to this day the common basis for the Christian in the East and the West.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 194) The Apostles' Creed is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith. It is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome. Its great authority arises from this fact: it is "the Creed of the Roman Church, the See of Peter the first of the apostles, to which he brought the common faith" (St. Ambrose, Expl. symb. 7: PL 17, 1196). (CCC 195) The Niceno-Constantinopolitan or Nicene Creed draws its great authority from the fact that it stems from the first two ecumenical Councils (in 325 and 381). It remains common to all the great Churches of both East and West to this day. (CCC 196) Our presentation of the faith will follow the Apostles' Creed, which constitutes, as it were, "the oldest Roman catechism". The presentation will be completed however by constant references to the Nicene Creed, which is often more explicit and more detailed. (End) 

(The next question is: I  How did the Creeds come about?)