An international academic conference commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council opened on Thursday at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade. The event, inaugurated by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, brings together clergy, scholars, and church representatives from the Serbian Orthodox Church, other Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, and academic institutions across several countries.

The two-day gathering features multiple thematic sessions and aims to shed new light on the historical, theological, and cultural legacy of the Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD — a milestone widely regarded as foundational for the development of Christian doctrine.

In his opening remarks, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed, first formulated at the Council and still central to the Christian faith. “We are not merely remembering the past; we are participating in a living tradition that has shaped the Church’s faith for centuries,” he said, highlighting the Creed as a unifying text shared across the Orthodox world.

Before the conference officially began, a liturgy was celebrated in the university chapel, followed by the opening of an art exhibition featuring works by faculty and students of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Academy of Arts.

Professor Srboljub Ubiparipović, dean of the faculty, noted that the anniversary holds importance not only for the Serbian Orthodox Church but for global Orthodoxy. He expressed hope that the scholarly presentations would offer a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding the Council and why its decisions remain relevant today.

Participants are discussing a wide range of subjects, including theology, early Christian history, patristic texts, and the long-term influence of the Council of Nicaea on church life. Key topics include the struggle against Arianism, the establishment of a unified date for celebrating Easter, the development of Christian terminology, and the evolution of canonical law.

The first day featured presentations on Christology, early Church history, philology, and biblical studies. Five additional sessions are scheduled for the second day of the forum.

Organizers say the conference seeks to underscore the contemporary relevance of the Council’s legacy and demonstrate how decisions made 1,700 years ago continue to shape the unity of the Christian tradition. Patriarch Porfirije expressed hope that the discussions would help pass this living tradition on to future generations.