www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West I believe vs. We believe

Dear Teen Logo,

We're all proud of Lance's humility!

Alex

Hi,

Translations can be huge cans of worms.

In Spanish, the "Sanctus" goes "Santo, Santo, Santo es el Se~or Dios del Universo..."

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of the Universe".

With Universe = All Creation.

As for the Creed, we say "Creo", unequivocally first person singular. We use this both for the Nicene and the Apostle's Creed.

I like to explain the difference between this liturgical form and the original Council text because at the Council, the Fathers met to find a common formula that expressed the faith each one of them professed. It was important to reflect that this formula was accepted by all of those who remained in Communion.

Afterwards, however, it not only becomes a personal matter whether we accept this True Faith or not, it is also true that from that point forward, the Church has to speak with one voice.

When I say "Credo", "Creo", "I believe", I am not only speaking for myself. This is my faith, and it is my voice, yes. But it is also the unanimous voice of Peter and the Apostles. It is also the unanimous voice of the entire Church everywhere and throuout all ages.

It is the single voice of the Bride of the Lamb: "I believe..." until the day You come back and I'm able to say "I see..."

Shalom,
Memo.

In the Armenian Divine Liturgy of St. Athanasius we (Armenian Catholics and Apostolics) use the word "Havadamk" which is translated, "We Believe." For more info on the Creed we use see:

http://www.geocities.com/wmwolfe_48044/Symbol.html

Dear Ghazar,

Do you have any news of the celebrations in Armenia of the anniversary of Christianity there?

Alex

Brother Alexander,

Yes, the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's illumination in 2001 (which made it the first Christian Nation) prompted many great celebrations in Armenia and in the diaspora.

The Pope of Rome even went there to celebrate this milestone. There was also the opening of the new Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Yerevan.

There many significant publications marking this anniversary as well. The most important of these was Robert Thomson's newly revised edition of his book "The Teaching of St. Gregory" which is a translation of an ancient Catechism attributed to St. Gregory the Illuminator. It was probably written down by our beloved Holy Translator, St. Mesrob (whom I named my new son after ).

Since that time many important publications have followed including a beautiful, profound and correct translation of our Soorp Badarak (Divine Liturgy), and St. Gregory of Narek's "Speaking to God from the Depths of the Heart" (I also named my son after him ). This is all I can think of right now.

Suffice it to say that the pastors of our Church, as well as our theologians and scholars, made a concerted effort to ensure that 1700 year anniversary would not come and go without many concrete works to remember it by. I am one who considers myself very fortunate and blessed to be able to be reaping the many fruits of this great endeavor. Thanks for asking, brother.

Wm. Der Ghazarian

As far as I understand, the latin Credo is translated "I" believe. In the revised Missale Romano the new english rendering will go back to "I"
Faith while communitarian is always "personal"
and so in my opinon is best translated in the ist person singular.
Stephanos I