Creed, Nicene A formulary of Christian faith; so called, because it is a paraphrase of that creed which was made at the first general council of Nice. This latter was drawn up by the second general council of Constantinople, A. D. 381: and therefore might be more properly styled the Constantinopolitan creed. the creed was carried by a majority, and admitted into the church as a barrier against Arius and his followers. the three creeds above-mentioned are used in the public offices of the church of England; and subscription to them is required of all the established clergy. Subscription to these was also required of the dissenting teachers by the toleration act; but from which they are now relieved by 19 Geo. III.