EKWEM N'OTU CHINEKE

"Ekwem N'otu Chineke" is a vibrant Igbo setting of the Nicene Creed, composed by Virgilus C. Eze as part of his Missa Amara. Sung during the Mass just after the homily, it allows the congregation to profess their faith through a lively, responsorial structure. Instead of singing the entire lengthy text straight through, the assembly anchors the prayer with a recurring refrain—declaring belief in one God, the Father Almighty—while the choir takes up the detailed verses.

For a choir, leading the Creed is a significant responsibility, as it walks the faithful through the core mysteries of salvation history. Eze’s arrangement breaks the long profession into nine distinct verses, covering everything from Christ’s incarnation and crucifixion under Pontius Pilate to the anticipation of the world to come. This call-and-response format keeps the momentum strong, turning what can sometimes be a marathon recitation into an engaging, communal proclamation of faith. It ensures that every part of the church, from the choir loft to the pews, stays actively involved in the prayer.