Study Day to mark 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea

To mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, in collaboration with the Dicastery for Evangelisation’s Section for Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World, is organizing a study day on 24 October 2025 focusing on the impact that this council had on evangelization, and its implications even today.

After setting a brief framework of the Council from the historical and theological point of view, the role of doctrinal formulations in the fields of catechesis, evangelization and the balance between unity and diversity within the Church will be analyzed. Speakers will also highlight how the Nicaean Creed constituted a fixed point in the evangelization of the Christian West and East. Finally, time will be devoted to investigate the connection between the Church and other institutions in the promotion of justice and peace, and the role of the liturgy in the process of announcing the Gospel. The aim is to recover the theological and catechetical links that emerged in the development of the individual themes, articulating the "triangle" of evangelization, depositum fidei and current challenges.

Here is the program:

Morning

Moderator: Monsignor Graham Bell, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization with responsibility for the Secretariat

9.30 am Institutional greetings from His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino De Mendonça and His Excellency Archbishop Rino Fisichella

9.45 am Historical and theological overview: Prof. C. Dell'Osso, Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology

10.30 am Doctrinal formulae, catechesis and evangelization: Prof. Patrick Descourtieux, Pontifical Institute Augustinianum

11.15 am Coffee break

11.30 am The role of the liturgy in evangelization: Prof. Elena Massimi FMA, Pontifical Salesian University

12.15 am The faith of Nicaea and evangelization in India: Monsignor Kuriakose Cherupuzhathottathil, Dicastery for the Oriental Churches

1.00 pm Lunch break

Afternoon

Moderator: Mons. Stefan Heid, Rector PIAC

3.00 pm Unity and diversity: the origins of the Church and today: Prof. Barbara Hallensleben, University of Fribourg

3.45 pm Church and institutions: evangelization and common commitment to justice and peace: Sister Alessandra Smerilli FMA, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

4.30 pm Evangelization between depositum fidei and current challenges: Father Enzo Biemmi, Theological Faculty of Triveneto

5.30pm Conclusion