Nicaea 1700 years later: Why faith in Jesus is flourishing again

Nicaea 1700 years later: Why faith in Jesus is flourishing again

On July 25, 2025, a very special event will take place in Lübeck that will deal with a crucial chapter in church history. As part of the 1700th anniversary of Christianity's first major council, the Catholic parish of Lübeck invites you to a lecture that deals with the Nicene Creed and the identity of Jesus Christ. The event takes place in the House of Encounters, Great Hall, Parade 4, and begins at 7:15 p.m., directly after the mass. The speaker is Daniela Braker from the Archdiocese of Hamburg, and admission is free - a warm welcome is guaranteed to all interested parties, regardless of faith or previous theological knowledge.

The historical context of the Council of Nicaea, which met 1,700 years ago in what is now Türkiye, could not be more relevant. At that time there were central questions about faith: Who exactly is Jesus Christ? Is he human, prophet or son of God? These debates are still relevant today and so it will be exciting to hear and discuss the different perspectives. Below we take a look at the key facts of the creed that was formulated at that time.

What does the Nicene Creed say?

The Nicene Creed is a fundamental part of the Christian faith and describes belief in the only God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. It professes faith in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born before all time, who is from God to God, light from light, true God from true God. The central statement here is that Jesus was not created but begotten and of one essence with the Father; through him everything was created

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Another key point of understanding is that Jesus took on flesh, was born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, and became human. This theology postulates that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, was buried, rose again on the third day, and ascended to heaven. The belief in his reign, which has no end, and the expectation of the return are also part of the confession.

The current relevance of the Nicene Creed

At the end of April 2025, the International Theological Commission published a document that comprehensively deals with the Nicene Creed. Titled “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior – 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea 325-2025,” the document illuminates the significance of the Council not only historically, but also today. Professor Michael Seewald described the Council of Nicaea as a theological stroke of luck and thereby expressed the high significance that this event has in the history of the Church.

The document, which comprises almost 70 pages and is divided into 124 points, addresses, among other things, ecumenism and ecclesiastical synodality, as well as the relevance of the Nicene Creed in the lives of believers. Pope Francis approved the publication of this important work in December 2024. For those interested, there will also be a study day on this topic on May 20, 2025 at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome - this also underlines the ongoing topicality of the topic.

The upcoming lecture in Lübeck offers an excellent opportunity to delve into the depths of the faith and reflect on questions that not only concerned the bishops of the time, but also concern us today. So anyone who is interested in refreshing or deepening their own theological knowledge should take advantage of this opportunity.