Athanasian Creed
a formulary or confession of faith, said to have been drawn up by Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, in the 4th century, to justify himself against the calumnies of his Arian enemies. It was famous in the 6th century and commented upon, together with the Lord's Prayer and Apostles' Creed, by Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers. It was not, however, then styled the Athanasian Creed, but simply the Catholic Faith. The Sabellians considered the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one in person; this was "confounding the persons": the Arians considered them as differing in essence; this was "dividing the substance"; and against these two errors was the creed originally framed. This creed was used in France about the year 850; was received in Spain about 100 years later, and in Germany about the same time.
It was both said and sung in England in the 10th century; was commonly used in Italy at the expiration of that century, and at Rome a little later. This creed is appointed to be read in the Church of England. an