SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF

THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

01 June 2025

DEDICATED TO THE 1,700TH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL IN NICAEA – 325- 2025 AD

IN THE GOD-PROTECTED

EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE

OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

“And let us consider how we may spur one another to love and good deeds,

not forsaking our own assembling together… but encouraging one another –

and all the more, as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).

THE 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL IN NICAEA – 325- 2025 AD

The First Ecumenical Council, known as the Council of Nicaea, was convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine I and is considered one of the pivotal moments in early Christian history. Its significance can be understood through several key aspects:

• Addressing Arianism

   - One of the main purposes of the Council was to address the theological conflict initiated by Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria, who questioned the nature of Christ in relation to God the Father. Arianism proposed that Jesus (the Son) was a created being and not co-eternal with God, which was contrary to the Orthodox belief of the Trinity.

• Establishing the Nicene Creed

   - The Council resulted in the formulation of the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the belief in the Trinity and the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father. This Creed became a fundamental statement of faith for Christianity, establishing standardized beliefs that would unify the Christian community and serve as a reference for future theological disputes.

• Unity and Authority in the Church

   - The Council marked an important step towards the institutionalization of Christianity. By convening the Council, Constantine sought to unify the diverse factions within Christianity and assert imperial authority in ecclesiastical matters. The decisions made at Nicaea helped to establish a precedent for future councils and the role of bishops in defining Orthodoxy.

• Biblical Canon and Church Practices

   - While the primary focus was theological, the Council also addressed various aspects of church order and discipline, which indirectly contributed to discussions about the Biblical Canon and the standardization of liturgical practices. The decisions made during this era would influence the development of the Christian Canon (Rules) in subsequent centuries.

• Political Implications

   - The Council of Nicaea symbolized the entwining of Church and State. By involving the Emperor in ecclesiastical affairs, it set a precedent for state involvement in religious matters that would persist throughout the history of the Byzantine Empire and influence the relationships between church and state in subsequent centuries and kingdoms.

• Long-Term Impact on Christian Doctrine

   - The outcomes of the Council had long-lasting ramifications for Christian theology. The rejection of Arianism and the affirmation of the Nicene Creed laid the groundwork for future theological developments and debates, shaping the nature of Christology and influencing discussions in later Ecumenical Councils.

Enduring Legacy

The First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea was a foundational event that addressed critical theological disputes, established a unified Christian doctrine, and set the course for the Church's relationship with the Roman State, come Byzantine Empire. Its legacy continues to be felt in Christian theology and ecclesiastical structure to this day.