Photo: Vatican Media
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) was among the key participants at the international theological conference titled “Nicaea and the Church of the Third Millennium: Towards Catholic-Orthodox Unity” held from 4–7 June 2025 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, Italy.
Jointly organised by the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) and the Angelicum Institute for Ecumenical Studies, the conference gathered more than 100 ecumenical scholars and church leaders from across traditions to reflect on the legacy of the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and its relevance for Christian unity today.
CEC President, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, actively participated by leading morning prayers and moderating the breakout session on “Nicaea and Exegetical Issues.” Reflecting on the significance of the gathering, he said, “This was a moment to look at the past, debate the present, and envision a hopeful future. CEC shares in the joy and blessings of this event and prays that we shall see many positive results.”
CEC’s Programme Officer for Theology and Studies, Ms Katerina Pekridou, also contributed significantly by presenting a paper during a plenary session on synodality in the light of Nicaea. Titled “All Disciples, All Missionaries: All Called to Ministry”, her presentation explored synodality through the lens of Christian mission and discipleship. Drawing from the Catholic Synod on Synodality’s document “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”, she proposed that a theology of lay ministry rooted in discipleship could enrich Catholic-Orthodox dialogue.
"In his presidential address, IOTA’s founder and president, Prof. Paul L. Gavrilyuk, called participants to 'reimagine the legacy of Nicaea as a living path toward unity.' He noted, 'As Nicaea once convened bishops to seek clarity through communion, this conference gathered scholars and leaders to deepen that same vision in our time.'"
The conference culminated in a private audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican’s Sala Clementina. In a moving address on the eve of Pentecost, the Pope reminded participants that Christian unity is ultimately a gift of the Holy Spirit: “The unity for which Christians long will not be primarily the fruit of our own efforts... but a gift received ‘as Christ wills and by the means that he wills’.”
CEC’s engagement in this gathering underscores its commitment to ecumenical dialogue and its role in fostering theological reflection for the unity of the Church in Europe and beyond.