In the Nicene Creed, we say that we believe in the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC CHURCH. This is the Church that Jesus Christ founded on the faith of the apostles and prophets. It is called the “Pillar and Ground of Truth.”
“The Church, though spread across the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles this faith...” — St. Irenaeus of Lyons
What Does This Mean? These four words—One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—describe the true nature and mission of the Church. Here’s what they mean in a simple way:
1. The Church is One: The Church is united as the Body of Christ. We share one faith, one baptism, and one Eucharist. Even though we come from different cultures, speak different languages, and have different traditions, we are part of one Church that shares in the life of God.
“Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” — St. Ignatius of Antioch
This unity isn’t just about agreeing on teachings—it’s about living in love and working together as one family.
2. The Church is Holy: The Church is holy because it belongs to God and is filled with His Holy Spirit. The Church is where people come to be healed and transformed by God’s grace. It is made up of people who are both sinners and saints—people who are being made holy through prayer, worship, and the sacraments.
Holiness is not about being perfect—it’s about being open to God’s love and letting Him work in our lives.
3. The Church is Catholic: The word “Catholic” means “whole” or “universal.” The Church is Catholic because it holds the full truth of the faith and offers the path to salvation. The catholicity of the Church isn’t about how big or widespread it is—it’s about having everything needed for a full life with God.
This means the Church welcomes all people and calls everyone to be part of the family of faith.
4. The Church is Apostolic: The Church is Apostolic because it is built on the teachings and work of the apostles—the people Jesus sent to share His message. The leaders of the Church today, our bishops, trace their authority back to the apostles in an unbroken line. This guarantees that the Church’s teachings and sacraments are true to what Jesus taught.
Being apostolic also means we are called to continue the work of the apostles by spreading the Gospel and serving others.
Living as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: At the Church of America, we strive to live out these four marks in everything we do. We work to stay united, grow in holiness, hold fast to the fullness of the faith, and follow the teachings passed down from the apostles.
We invite you to come and see the beauty and depth of this ancient faith. In a world full of division, the Church’s unity, holiness, wholeness, and mission are a light of hope.
May our life together show the world what God’s Kingdom is like—a place where all people are welcomed, transformed, and united in Christ by the Holy Spirit. And may we always stay faithful to the tradition of the apostles as we journey toward God’s Kingdom.
“The Church, though spread across the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles this faith...” — St. Irenaeus of Lyons
What Does This Mean? These four words—One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—describe the true nature and mission of the Church. Here’s what they mean in a simple way:
1. The Church is One: The Church is united as the Body of Christ. We share one faith, one baptism, and one Eucharist. Even though we come from different cultures, speak different languages, and have different traditions, we are part of one Church that shares in the life of God.
“Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” — St. Ignatius of Antioch
This unity isn’t just about agreeing on teachings—it’s about living in love and working together as one family.
2. The Church is Holy: The Church is holy because it belongs to God and is filled with His Holy Spirit. The Church is where people come to be healed and transformed by God’s grace. It is made up of people who are both sinners and saints—people who are being made holy through prayer, worship, and the sacraments.
Holiness is not about being perfect—it’s about being open to God’s love and letting Him work in our lives.
3. The Church is Catholic: The word “Catholic” means “whole” or “universal.” The Church is Catholic because it holds the full truth of the faith and offers the path to salvation. The catholicity of the Church isn’t about how big or widespread it is—it’s about having everything needed for a full life with God.
This means the Church welcomes all people and calls everyone to be part of the family of faith.
4. The Church is Apostolic: The Church is Apostolic because it is built on the teachings and work of the apostles—the people Jesus sent to share His message. The leaders of the Church today, our bishops, trace their authority back to the apostles in an unbroken line. This guarantees that the Church’s teachings and sacraments are true to what Jesus taught.
Being apostolic also means we are called to continue the work of the apostles by spreading the Gospel and serving others.
Living as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: At the Church of America, we strive to live out these four marks in everything we do. We work to stay united, grow in holiness, hold fast to the fullness of the faith, and follow the teachings passed down from the apostles.
We invite you to come and see the beauty and depth of this ancient faith. In a world full of division, the Church’s unity, holiness, wholeness, and mission are a light of hope.
May our life together show the world what God’s Kingdom is like—a place where all people are welcomed, transformed, and united in Christ by the Holy Spirit. And may we always stay faithful to the tradition of the apostles as we journey toward God’s Kingdom.
