Why Was the Filioque Added to the Nicene Creed?

The addition of the Filioque ("and the Son") to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is one of the most debated theological developments in Christian history. In this video, we delve into the historical, theological, and pastoral reasons behind its inclusion in the Western Church. Starting with its origins in 6th-century Spain as a response to Arianism, we trace its spread to the Frankish Empire and its eventual adoption into the Western liturgy.

We also examine the great schism and modern ecumenical efforts, including dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, to understand the Filioque as a legitimate theological clarification rather than a change to Trinitarian doctrine. Together, we’ll explore how this phrase reflects complementary perspectives on the mystery of the Trinity and the steps being taken today to bridge centuries-old divisions.

Contents:
00:00 What is the Filioque?
00:36 Development of the Nicene Creed
02:27 Arianism in Spain and the addition of the Filioque
03:04 Western Theology influenced by theologians such as St. Augustine
03:23 Third Council of Toledo and the adoption of the Filioque
03:51 Spread of the Filioque into Western Europe
04:07 Charlemagne and the Filioque
04:41 Cultural differences between Western and Eastern Christianity
05:29 The Great Schism of 1054
06:20 Modern Ecumenical Dialogue
08:09 Thank you for watching

[Imperial_Legacy]

I’ve received many comments pointing out that the pronunciation of Filioque is incorrect. I apologize for this, and in any future videos on the topic, I’ll make sure to use the correct pronunciation, following the Latin pronunciation that many of you prefer.

[doubledee]

Very enjoyable, and puts forth the debate in clear and understandable terms. As an aside, when I did Latin at High School well over 60 years ago, we pronounced "filioque" as "fill eee oh kway", not "fill ee oak" as you do.

[WaitingforGodel]

Something worth noting is that the Nicean creed was formulated in Greek, which continued to be used by the eastern Church, while the western Church used a Latin translation of the creed and formulated the Filioque clause in Latin, where the word for "proceeds" arguably has a different meaning. So the controversy has different levels, involving the terminology, the underlying doctrine, and the inclusion into the creed as a fundamental belief.

[georgemadathiparampil]

Congratulations. Beautifully explained. Continue this ministry.
Fr George Madathiparampil

[jLjtremblay]

GREAT video! And no need to apologize for pronunciation. Thanks!

[LupinGaius-lsor]

Fil-e-o-kwae. It’s Latin not Gaelic. Otherwise very succinct.

[AncientFaithExplorations]

Filioque was added to the Nicene Creed to emphasize the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, addressing theological disputes.

[HipHip_Jorge]

Amen! Good video! May we all work to reunify our churches!

[davidhussell]

As others below have rightly commented, the video is pronouncing filioque incorrectly. It is a very prominent error. Other than that it is a theologically very informative video.

[RPlavo]

Why are eastern bishops wearing the miter in the painting?

[IndianaJonesTDH]

Honestly there needs to be a another council for some who discovered the apostolic faith it torned me greatly about the choice between Catholic and Orthodox Church I had build relations and went to divine liturgy and mass
It was a very awkward it did hurt.

Hopefully church may unified

[TasKarp]

How does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son (Filioque) and at the same time with Mary incarnates Jesus? It almost seems like instead of a Holy Trinity with the Filioque you end up with 2.5.

[grahamtopfuel]

Please look at a video called The Trinity Model Key Errors to understand why most people struggle with the Trinity Model. It's an interesting new perspective on the Trinity Doctrine

[meereslicht]

Excellent video. This an important topic and one can see why western theology insisted on the Filioque: everything seem to hinge on the idea that the Holy Trinity must share the same essence among the Persons if we want our Christology to be coherent. If one doesn't agree then one needs to embrace some form of apophaticism with regard to the knowability or understanding of the essence of God, which could be problematic if you recognize at the same time Christ as the second person of the Trinity. This is a problem inside the Eastern tradition, I think. St. Augustin's efforts are, from a hermeneutical point of view, fully understandable.

[Stevech]

You may be right (I flunked First year Latin) but I was relating to the famous SPQR, as Senatus Populusque Romanus. I was thinking more about the pronunciation than the grammar. Be well

[erichstocker]

filioque is pronounced filio- QWAY in standard Latin. Good summary of the "theological issue". For many in early christianity the trinity was a hard thing to understand and accept

[blasvillasmil]

Perfect explanation !!!
Besides, if you read this three versions of the gospel of John: 15:26 (New King James Version (NKJV), New American Catholic Bible (NACB) and The Orthodox Study Bible (TOSB):

¨But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me¨ (NKJV)

¨When the Advocate comes whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify of Me¨. (NACB)

¨But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of
truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me¨.(TOSB)

Our Lord message is very clear (He (Jesus) will send the Spirit that comes from the Father, (but clearly have to be the Son whom send It)), then being Jesus God, and having told that He will send the Spirit of Truth, then It will come from the Father and the Son. I rest my case. 🙏🙏🙏

[dpkastel]

No mention of the Council of Florence/Ferrara where the Eastern bishops agreed to the Filioque.

[clarekuehn]

Fili-OH-*kway*
is the pronunciation, fyi.

[iparipaitegianiparipaitegi]

There’s an error in this video. Pope Leo couldn’t excommunicate the bishop of Constantinople because he (Leo) was dead the day his legates deposed the writ of excommunication (which was thus invalid).