Ekwem N'Otu Chineke

When the homily concludes and the congregation stands, the choir leads the people in the great profession of faith. "Ekwem N'Otu Chineke" is a majestic Igbo setting of the Nicene Creed, composed by Francis Uzuakpunwa. It carries the weight of centuries of Christian belief, translated into the resonant cadences of the Igbo language.

Singing the Creed is always a profound moment in the Mass. Uzuakpunwa’s arrangement moves with a steady, deliberate pace (marked *Andante*), allowing the choir to articulate each mystery clearly—from the creation of heaven and earth ("onye mere eligwe n'ala") to the incarnation ("O weer' ahu na Virgin Maria") and the resurrection ("Ma O bilitere"). The music swells with conviction as the voices layer together, especially during the triumphant declaration of Christ's rising on the third day.

For a choir, mastering a through-composed Creed requires stamina and careful attention to the text. The Soprano line guides the melody, but the true impact emerges when all four parts unite to proclaim the shared faith of the Church. It is a powerful piece for Sunday worship, grounding the liturgy in the solemn and joyful truth of the Gospel.