POPE LEO XIV AND ORTHODOX PATRIARCH RECITE NICENE CREED TOGETHER AT HISTORIC COUNCIL SITE

Pope Leo XIV and an Orthodox Patriarch held an ecumenical prayer service yesterday at the ruins of the ancient basilica in Iznik, Turkey, the site of the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and recited the Nicene Creed together in its original form without the later Western addition of the filioque.

The historic gathering took place during Pope Leo XIV's six day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, commemorating 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea where early church leaders established fundamental Christian doctrines including the Nicene Creed.

The Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 AD, addressed crucial theological disputes about the nature of Christ and the Trinity, producing the creed that has united Christians across denominations and cultures for nearly two millennia.

The decision to recite the creed in its original form, without the filioque clause, carries significant theological and ecumenical weight. The filioque, Latin for "and the Son," was added by Western churches centuries after Nicaea, stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son."

The filioque addition became a major point of contention between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, contributing to the Great Schism of 1054 that divided Christianity into Eastern and Western branches.

Eastern Orthodox churches have consistently rejected the filioque as unauthorized addition to an ecumenical creed, arguing that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, while Western churches defend the addition as clarifying trinitarian theology.

By reciting the creed without the filioque, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged Orthodox theological concerns and demonstrated willingness to find common ground on issues that have divided Christians for nearly a millennium.

The ecumenical prayer service at the ancient basilica ruins symbolized hope for Christian unity, with Catholic and Orthodox leaders standing together at the very site where their shared faith was first articulated in creedal form.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

The Pope recited the Nicene Creed without the filioque.

That is either profound ecumenical gesture or dangerous doctrinal compromise.

The filioque states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Western theology has affirmed this for over a thousand years.

Eastern theology rejects it as unauthorized addition.

Both sides claim to defend trinitarian orthodoxy.

The question is whether Pope Leo's omission signals genuine ecumenical dialogue or capitulation to Eastern demands.

If omitting the filioque helps heal the schism between Catholic and Orthodox churches, the gesture may be worth doctrinal flexibility.

If it confuses Western Christians about settled trinitarian theology, the gesture undermines faith for political unity.

The Council of Nicaea established the creed to unify Christians against heresy.

Seventeen hundred years later, Christians still cannot agree on what that creed says about the Trinity.

That is both tragedy and scandal.

Jesus prayed "that they may all be one" (John 17:21).

We are not one.

We are fractured by theological disputes, cultural divisions, and institutional pride.

Standing at Nicaea reciting the original creed is beautiful symbolism.

But symbolism without substantive theological reconciliation is empty gesture.

TAKE ACTION

1. Study the Great Schism and theological differences between Catholic and Orthodox Christianity to understand what divides Christians after nearly 1,000 years. Visit christianhistoryinstitute.org for resources on church history and ecumenical dialogue attempts.
2. Pray for Christian unity across denominational lines, following Jesus's prayer in John 17 that believers would be one. Contact Churches Together in Britain and Ireland at ctbi.org.uk to support ecumenical initiatives promoting cooperation without compromising doctrine.
3. Support Orthodox Christian persecution victims facing violence in Middle East and former Soviet states. Donate to Aid to the Church in Need at acnuk.org or +44 (0)20 8642 8668 for emergency relief to Orthodox communities under attack.
4. Learn trinitarian theology to understand filioque controversy and its importance to Christian doctrine. Study resources from organizations like Ligonier Ministries at ligonier.org examining Holy Spirit's procession and trinitarian relationships.
5. Promote Christian cooperation without doctrinal compromise by supporting initiatives where Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants work together on shared concerns like religious freedom, life issues, and persecution relief while maintaining theological distinctives.
6. Pray for church leaders engaged in ecumenical dialogue balancing unity desires with doctrinal integrity. Ask God for wisdom to pursue Christian cooperation that honors truth rather than sacrificing theological conviction for institutional harmony.