With 2033 only eight years away (2000 years since the death and resurrection of Christ) it is amazing to consider how far Christianity has grown since that time. It is now a fundamental element within many societies, cultures and a way of existence for more than 2 billion people across the world.

At a local level it was lovely to witness those who were initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil. This tradition was discussed at The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and as a result of decisions made at this council and subsequent synods, the practice of baptising catechumens during the Easter Vigil was put in place. It has also been a tradition since the early centuries that the Nicene Creed is presented to the Elect during the third week of Lent in preparation for their baptism.

‘On 20 May 2025, the Christian world will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the opening of the Council of Nicaea, which took place in Asia Minor in the year 325.  This was the first ecumenical council in history, and it produced the creed that, completed by the First Council of Constantinople in 381, has become the distinctive expression of the Church’s faith in Jesus Christ.  This anniversary occurs within the Jubilee Year, which is centred on the theme “Christ our Hope,” and it coincides with the common celebration of Easter by Christians of both East ‘and West.’

‘The faith that the Council of Nicaea witnesses to and hands on is the truth of a God who, being Love, is Trinity, and who, out of love, becomes one of us in his Son.  This truth is the authentic principle of fraternity between individuals and peoples, and of the transformation of history in accordance with the prayer that Jesus addressed to the Father on the eve of the supreme gift of his life for us, “that they may be one, as we are one” (Jn 17:22).  The Nicene Creed thus stands at the heart of the Church’s faith as a wellspring of living water to be drawn upon also today.  Through it, we can enter into Jesus’ gaze and, in him, into the gaze with which God, Abba, looks upon all his children and upon the whole of creation, starting with the least, the poor and the outcast.  For the only-begotten Son of the Father—who became the “firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Rom 8:29)—identifies with them to the point that he considers that what is done to each one of them is done to him (cf. Mt 25:40).’

‘The International Theological Commission has now published an important and comprehensive document entitled, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior: The 1700^th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.”  It aims not only to recall the nature and significance of the Council, given its great historical importance for the Church, but also to highlight the extraordinary resources that the Nicene creed, continuously professed up to our own time, contains and re-proposes, especially in view of the new phase of evangelization that the Church is presently called to undertake.’

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Mission & Evangelisation team invites you to a premium formation offering with Associate Professor Joel Hodge, National Head, School of Theology, Australian Catholic University, Celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed.

Choose from one of two sessions at 3:30pm or 6:00pm as he immerses us in the history and theology of the Nicene Creed. This ‘deep dive’ into ‘what we believe’ is not to be missed.

Session One – 3:30-5:30pm (for those not working or travelling a distance)

Session Two – 6:00pm-8:00pm (for those who wish to attend after work)

Formation will be held at St John’s Baptist Shrine, Maitland on Friday 23 May.

In between sessions, there will be a shared light supper for the departing audience and the arriving audience.

To register for this event go to: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/nicene-creed-1700th-anniversary-tickets-1336131087049?aff=oddtdtcreator

Quotes:

Press Release. Publication of the Document Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior: 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325-2025) of the International Theological Commission (3 April 2025). (2025). Vatican.va. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_doc_20250403_comunicato-1700-nicea_en.html