The Enduring Power of Nicaea’s Creed
Although the ancient city of Nicaea now lies in ruins, the faith proclaimed there remains alive and continues to unite Christians across the world, Pope Leo XIV said during his homily marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
The pope reflected on how, despite centuries of political and geographic change, the Nicene Creed remains a solid foundation for the Christian community. He emphasized that the faith professed by the early bishops at Nicaea is not a relic of history but a living confession that continues to inspire believers today.
“The ruins of Nicaea speak not of an end, but of a beginning,” the pope said. “The Creed they forged still stands as the heartbeat of the Church, binding believers in one confession of faith.”
A Creed Rooted in Unity
Pope Leo XIV noted that the Council of Nicaea, held in the year 325, was convened to preserve the unity of the Church amid theological disputes. What began as an attempt to resolve division produced a declaration of belief that transcends centuries and denominations.
He added that the Nicene Creed remains a bridge between Christians today, both Catholic and non-Catholic, reminding all of their shared foundation in Christ.
“To profess the Creed is to affirm that our differences never outweigh our communion in one faith,” the pope said. “It calls us back to the essentials, to the confession that Jesus is Lord.”
The City and Its Legacy
Located near modern-day İznik in Turkey, Nicaea was once a vibrant center of early Christianity. Today, only fragments of its ancient walls and churches remain. Pope Leo XIV remarked that these stones, though silent, testify to the vitality of a faith that has endured long after empires have fallen.
He compared the endurance of the Creed to a well that continues to give life even when the city around it has disappeared. Faith, he said, does not depend on geography or monuments but on the enduring truth of the Gospel.
Call to Renewal
Concluding his message, the pope urged Christians to draw renewal from the spirit of Nicaea by reaffirming their unity in faith and love. He invited all believers to see the Creed not as a formula to recite but as a testimony to live.
“When we profess the Creed, we do more than repeat ancient words,” he said. “We embrace a living heritage that still shapes our hearts and our world.”
Author’s summary: Pope Leo XIV reflected on the ruins of Nicaea as a symbol of faith’s endurance, highlighting the Nicene Creed as the enduring link uniting Christians across centuries.
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