WCC NEWS: “Why was Nicaea so important—and why are we celebrating it?” WCC invites deeper exploration

Rev. Dr Susan Durber, World Council of Churches (WCC) president from Europe, offers a word on why we’re celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea—and also the creed which began its life there. WCC president from Europe Rev. Dr Susan Durber of the United Reformed Church. 23 September 2025 “So why was Nicaea so important—and why are we celebrating it?” she asks. “Well, first of all, it was the broadest gathering of Christian leaders that had ever come together at the time, and it set the pattern for how Christians sort out our differences, and how we seek consensus together.” Second, Durber continues, the Council of Nicaea came at a moment in Christian history when Christians were emerging from a persecuted minority to being recognized and affirmed. “Thirdly, it was a conference that thought deeply about what Christians believe, particularly what we believe about who Jesus was—a question that still we need to grapple with in our times.” Durber explains that she comes from a church that acknowledges the Nicene Creed with thanksgiving—but doesn’t say it every week. "But during this year I have really begun to wrestle with the Nicene Creed and with the story of the Council of Nicaea, and it really has deepened my own faith, and my ecumenical friends from other churches have really shown me how to engage with this fascinating story and this amazing, beautiful, poetic text that we call the Nicene Creed,” she said. “The WCC has now created an online course so that, you too, can engage more deeply with this movement and with the creed.” The course comprises video lectures, reading materials, and discussion questions. “I really believe that the Holy Spirit has been breathing and moving the church as we have engaged more deeply with the legacy of Nicaea, in this anniversary year,” concludes Durber. “So please, come and join in.” To register, send your details (email, first and last names) to: faithandorder325@wcc-coe.org  See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland