Remembering Nicaea – A Joint Theological Conference

ANZATS, the Christian Research Association and the Australasian Centre for Wesley Research are joining together to present Remembering Nicaea: A Contested Legacy.

2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical Christian council, held from May-July 325 CE. This meeting of bishops discussed issues such as the nature of Jesus’ divinity and humanity, the dating of Easter, and the construction of the first part of the Nicene Creed. It also saw the beginning of early canon law. The council has been seen as a high-water mark of orthodoxy but also as an exercise in silencing and oppressing dissident voices. The tussle between orthodoxy and inclusion continues today with differences over the role and ordination of women, the inclusion of LGBTQI+ people within the church, ongoing colonisation and racism, sacramental observance, and declining church attendance and membership, at least in the West.

Classicist Martin Shedd will deliver two keynotes related to the recent publication of his book Remembering Nicaea: The Ecclesiastical History of Anonymous Cyzicenus.

Pilgrim Theological College are generously hosting and supporting the conference which will be held July 1-3, 2025. Pre-conference activities including a tour of bronze stations of the cross statues across Melbourne will be held on Monday June 30.

Please join us as we discuss issues contemporary and ancient, conservative and progressive, drawing together across theological perspectives. Further details including registration can be found at www.anzats.edu.au/conference.