The World Council of Churches is planning a year of activities in 2025 to mark the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325, a key moment in the history of Christian faith and for the ecumenical journey today.
Why Nicaea? Why Now?
The year 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the world’s first ecumenical Council, the Council of Nicaea of 325. The theologians gathered then were seeking unity, and the story of Nicaea needs to be remembered faithfully and thoughtfully. Then, as now, the call to unity was heard within the context of a troubled, unequal, and divided world.
The commemoration of Nicaea is a key moment in the story of Christian faith and in the ecumenical journey today. It offers us an opportunity to reflect on the faith we share, and on the Church, called to be sign and servant of the mission of God. How shall we live, pray, and celebrate the apostolic faith together, as one, in our times? If ever we needed an opportunity to consider the unity of the Christian family, and its witness to the world, surely that time is now!
The purpose of the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission is “to serve the churches as they to call one another to visible unity,” and in this historic year, the Commission will convene a number of events to commemorate Nicaea – as a Council, a Creed, a moment in history, and a touchstone for Christian life and faith – and to reflect on its meaning for today and tomorrow.
We hope the Christians of the world will join us and one another to remember, to reflect, and to renew their faith and hope in the love, justice, and unity of Jesus Christ.
NICAEA 2025
Living the apostolic faith together today
325 CE: The Christian church meets for the first time in an ecumenical council and and begins to formulate the Nicene Creed, a fundamental bond of Christian unity.
In 2025 the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission commemorates this key event in history while considering how to best “serve the churches as they call one another to visible unity today.”
True to this purpose, the commission will convene a number of events to celebrate Nicaea (as gathering and creed) and to reflect on its ecumenical meaning today.
This historic year is a time to call a world conference and celebrate a year of events on the faith we share, and on the Church, called to be a sign and servant of the mission of God.
How shall we live, pray and celebrate the apostolic faith together, as one, in our times?
NICAEA 2025, a year of reflection and renewal, will include:
• A world conference; NICAEA 2025: Where Now for Visible Communion?
August 28 – September 3, 2025. For church delegates, with online viewing also available to all
• Worship resources: expressing our faith in liturgical form
• Study group resources on the current work of the Commission on Faith and Order
• A new study programme on the Faith and Order study:
Apostolic Faith Today
• Webinars on key Faith and Order work
• Publishing books related to the year
• Contributions to conferences and gatherings around the world
• Connecting with significant research projects
• Opportunities to engage with the themes in creative ways online and locally
• Links with parallel Nicaea commemorations among the churches
A year of events, on the faith we share, and on the Church, called to be a sign and servant of the mission of God.
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