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Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Catholic Church, met with the leaders of the Eastern and Western churches in Iznik on Friday, one of the most important places in the history of Christianity, and prayed for unity among Christians.
At noon, Pope Leo XIV, Patriarch Bartholomew I, the head of the Greek Patriarchate of Constantinople, and other religious leaders met in the area where the first council was held on the shore of Lake Nicaea.
The meeting in 325 AD is also known for its “Nicene Creed”, which is accepted by millions of Christians and still read in churches today. The leaders read this statement of faith together on the excavation site.
“This declaration of faith is of fundamental importance for Christians moving towards full unity,” Pope Leo said, calling for the overcoming of centuries of divisions in the Christian world.
Council and historical connection
The Council of Nicaea is seen as a critical historical moment because it took place when the Eastern and Western churches were still under one roof. The churches have been divided since the Great Schism of 1054. Nevertheless, today the Catholic, Orthodox and many Protestant churches still recognise the Nicene Creed.
Bartholomew described the tradition of the council as “the seed of Christian existence” and said, “We are gathered here not only to remember the past, but also to bear witness to the same faith in a living way today.”
The ceremony in Iznik
The ceremony, in which Catholic and Orthodox hymns were sung alternately, was held in the area where falling water levels have exposed the remains of the Basilica of St. Neophytos. It is believed that the basilica was built on the grounds of the church where the council was held.
In addition to Catholic and Orthodox representatives, clergy from Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Malankara, Protestant and Anglican churches took part in the ceremony.
Pope Leo said that the use of religious motivations to justify violence, war or fanaticism “must be firmly rejected” and called for dialogue and cooperation.
Short-lived protest
A small group organised a protest before the prayer ceremony in Iznik. The protest by the New Welfare Party members ended peacefully under police supervision.