Rimini: The 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a landmark event in Christian history, has become a rallying point for unity between Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Addressing the anniversary during the Rimini Meeting held from August 22–27, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople underlined the council’s enduring role in shaping Christian faith and fostering ecumenical dialogue.
Cardinal Koch recalled that the Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 A.D., defended the Church against the Arian controversy by affirming the divinity of Christ. “The Nicene Creed, proclaiming Christ as ‘consubstantial with the Father,’ became the foundation of Christian faith across centuries,” he said. He emphasized that unity within the Church can only be restored through fidelity to apostolic faith and the essential truths professed at Nicaea.
Highlighting the ecumenical value of the council, Koch noted that the Nicene Creed is embraced not only by Catholics and Orthodox Christians but also by Reformation-era ecclesial communities. “The unity of Christians is possible only through a shared confession of faith,” he explained, stressing that prayer has always been the heart of the ecumenical movement. “The Holy Spirit will guide us to complete the work of unity begun in prayer,” he added.
Patriarch Bartholomew I also stressed the council’s authority and continuing relevance for the Orthodox Church. He pointed out that the Nicene decisions remain “a cornerstone of Christian proclamation” and highlighted two pressing contemporary issues—synodality and a common date for Easter.
“To be credible as Christians, we must celebrate the Savior’s resurrection on the same day,” Bartholomew said. While acknowledging differing sensitivities among Churches, he emphasized that a common Easter date would greatly strengthen Christian witness, particularly for families of mixed traditions. “Easter is the heart of Christianity. To celebrate it together would reaffirm the faith in the Resurrection as the foundation of our hope,” he said.
The Patriarch also underlined the role of synodality in the ecumenical journey, pointing to theological documents that recognize it as a defining characteristic of the Church’s life and mission. “The future of ecumenism depends on our ability to walk together synodally, with theological clarity and pastoral prudence. The Council of Nicaea remains a teacher in this regard,” he concluded.
The joint reflections of Cardinal Koch and Patriarch Bartholomew signal renewed momentum in the search for unity between East and West, grounded in the shared faith that the Council of Nicaea articulated 17 centuries ago.