The Nicene Creed was originated at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It is a pre-denominational work. It is from this document that the Nicene Church chose it's name. Although the creed has been through some revisions, it remains a standard of Christian belief and a basic statement of Christian faith. It is traditionally recited either immediately before or immediately after the sermon. This allows worship participants to ensure that the sermon is aligned with the basic Christian beliefs.
One common variation of the creed is in a phrase known as the Filioque.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son)
The phrase "and the Son" was added by some Latin churches in the 6th century and incorporated into Roman liturgy in 1014. Eastern Orthodoxy continues to omit this phrase.