Pope Leo is going to Turkey this Thursday, November 27, to celebrate the 1700 years since the creation of the Nicene Creed. He will be joining Christian leaders from the eastern churches in the ancient city of Nicea,modern-day İznik. Then he will be traveling to Lebanon to visit the church in that country until December 2. 

In a letter a few days ago, the pope urged the whole Church to renew her enthusiasm for this fundamental profession of faith that church leaders agreed on in Nicea in 325. The creed is not simply an old document that settled a problem of the past, the pope writes.  It’s a “compass” into the future that can  be “ understood in ever new and relevant ways.”

Pope Leo recommends a significant study by the International Theological Commission published December 15, 2024: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour. 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.  

The document offers an enlightening  history of the Creed as well as important suggestions for using it to confront the challenges we face in our world today. More than a summary of doctrinal propositions,  the Creed is “an icon of words,” introducing us into the mystery of God.

Glory to that One Who came
to us by His First-born.
Glory to that Silent One 
Who spoke by means of His Voice.
Glory to that Sublime One
Who was seen by means of His Dawn.
Glory to the Spiritual One
Who was well-pleased that
His Child should become a body so that 
through Him His power might be felt
and the bodies of His kindred might live again.  St. Ephrem the Syrian.