More than 100 people gathered at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra to take part in a special ecumenical pilgrimage marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Source: Catholic Voice.
Known as the Nicene Pilgrimage, the event brought together Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox leaders and parishioners, who walked from St Christopher’s to the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, praying for the unity of all Christians.
“The great miracle of oneness that Jesus dreamed of is somewhat of a reality 2000 years later, but not completely,” Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse said.
“So, we are praying on this pilgrimage for the continued unity of the people of God.”
The Council of Nicaea, called in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine – the first Christian Roman Emperor – was a defining moment in Christian history. Held in the imperial palace of Nicaea [in modern-day Türkiye), the gathering drew about 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire to address growing divisions in the early Church.
The result was the Nicene Creed, a formal statement of belief still proclaimed in churches today.
“We know that one of the great times of unity was the composition of the Nicene Creed,” Archbishop Prowse said.
“In proclaiming this ancient symbol of faith, we bear witness to the unity we share and our common commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The theme of unity was echoed by other Christian leaders, including Anglican Bishop Mark Short, who said the Nicene Pilgrimage reminded him that “unity is a gift from God.”
During the pilgrimage, the Church leaders carried an icon written by local iconographer Sue Orchison.
To mark the occasion, the leaders signed a joint statement affirming their shared faith.
“On this most significant anniversary, we gather in Canberra, the capital city of Australia, to affirm afresh this central Christian creedal statement,” the declaration read.
“Today is also a point of departure. We want to renew our quest for Christian unity in the grace of the Nicene Creed given to us all.”
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Church Leaders Unite in Faith on Nicene Pilgrimage (By Veronika Cox, Catholic Voice)
