Why mark this 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed?
The Council of Nicaea in 325 was the very first time that
representative leaders (bishops) from across the whole Church
had ever gathered together – summoned by Roman Emperor
Constantine who wanted Christianity to help hold his vast
Empire together. Amid vigorous debate and despite
differences, the bishops found a way to an initial agreement on
the essentials of the Faith.
That first draft was a step towards what we know as the Nicene
Creed. It represented:
(a) a first step towards consensus about the essentials of
the Faith;
(b) a resolve to continue in fellowship to address
differences; and
(c) a basis for deciding the bounds of divergence within
fellowship.
These issues are just as challenging for us today. That is why
the World Council of Churches and the worldwide Catholic
Church have invited Churches everywhere to think on these
things together in 2025.
That is is why we mark this 1700th anniversary of the
Nicene Creed