In Brisbane on Saturday 13 September 2025, an Adult Faith Education Seminar Marks 1700 Years since the Council of Nicaea

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, a one-day Adult Faith Education Seminar took place in the Diocese of Brisbane, organised by St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (AD 325). The gathering drew clergy, faithful, and students eager to deepen their understanding of the Nicene faith that continues to shape the life of the Church.

A Prayerful Opening and Episcopal Welcome
The seminar commenced with prayer led by His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, who, on behalf of Archbishop Makarios, warmly welcomed the esteemed lecturers of St Andrew’s—Fr Anastasios Bozikis and Dr Philip Kariatlis—and thanked them for their dedicated service to the Church. His Grace expressed gratitude to the many faithful present, praising their participation as a witness to their devotion to the Church, a witness to their hunger for the truth of Christ, and a witness to their willingness to dedicate time and energy to deepen their understanding of the faith. Linking the day’s theme to the liturgical calendar, he spoke of the First Ecumenical Council’s enduring significance in light of the feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious Life-Giving Cross.

Theological Presentations and Engaged Discussion
Fr Anastasios Bozikis, Lecturer in Church History presented a lecture titled Creeds, Canons and Calendars: The Historical Context of the Council of Nicaea. In this he situated the Council within the turbulent fourth century and showing how its doctrinal and canonical decisions continue to shape Christian identity and liturgical life.

Dr Philip Kariatlis, Sub-Dean of St Andrew’s, delivered a theological reflection on The Nicene Creed: What We Believe and How We are Called to Live, exploring how the Creed is not merely a historical text but a living confession, prayed and embodied in daily Christian life. Drawing on Scripture, patristic voices such as St Isaac the Syrian and St Symeon the New Theologian, and the enduring authority of the Church’s synodal witness, he highlighted the Creed as both a summary of salvation and a summons to holiness.

Group Sessions

Following the presentations, workshops invited the faithful to share reflections on the Council’s continuing relevance. These sessions were facilitated by Fr Romanos Stergiou, Fr Anastasios Bozikis, Fr Timothy Evangelinidis, Fr Nicholas Brown, and Fr Athanasios Athanasiadis, fostering lively theological dialogue and personal engagement.

Closing in Worship and Looking Ahead
The day concluded with the celebration of Vespers for the feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious Life-Giving Cross, uniting participants in prayer and thanksgiving.

This Brisbane seminar formed part of a wider national initiative by St Andrew’s Theological College to mark the 1700th anniversary of Nicaea, which includes new academic units, public lectures, and a major symposium. By combining rich theological teaching, interactive discussion, and shared worship, the event reaffirmed the College’s mission to nurture an informed, prayerful, and living Orthodox witness in Australia and beyond.