Towards Nicaea 2025: Exploring the Council’s Ecumenical Significance Today
Welcome to participants in the international and ecumenical conference from 4-8 November 2024 (4th being arrival day and 8th departure day) at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey (in a hybrid format) in collaboration with Faith and Order (WCC).
The Nicaea 2025 Bossey International Conference welcomes theologians, students, and individuals interested in the intersection of Nicaea, ecumenical theological education, and faith and order perspectives. Participants, either in person or hybrid, will have the opportunity to engage in robust academic discussions, attend plenary sessions, and contribute to panel discussions.
The aim is to offer an ecumenical perspective on the significance of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD). This conference will delve into today’s significance of Nicaea, focusing not only on its theological heritage but also on its relevance for ecumenical theological education and ecumenical formation. By bringing together scholars and emerging ecumenists from diverse Christian traditions, this international conference seeks to foster a deeper understanding of Nicaea’s enduring impact on the Christian church and its ongoing relevance in a rapidly changing world.
With the Nicaea 2025 Conference, we aim to achieve the following objectives: to highlight the ecumenical significance of the decisions and documents issued at Nicaea; to examine the impact of Nicaea on the development of Christian doctrine, self-understanding of the church, ecumenical relations, and interfaith dialogue; and to reflect on ecumenically accountable ways of approaching the outcomes of Nicaea in theological education.
Keynote speakers
We are pleased that we were able to draw six renowned keynote speakers from six different regions of the world to ensure contextuality. They are from six different denominations to broaden ecumenical perspectives on the topic:
"Nicaea’s Impact on Doctrine and Ecumenism - Exploring Significances"
DURBER Susan (Wales, UK)
"Creed, Sword and Empire - Why did the Emperor Constantine Convoke the Council in Nicaea?"
GRIFFIN Kathleen Marie (Buenos Aires, Argentina/USA)
"'For Us Men, and ….' The Significance of Nicaea’s Reference to Christ’s Human Nature and Its Potential for Ecumenical Collaboration"
KOUTRIS Charidimos (Thessaloniki, Greece)
"Nicaea as Shared Foundation and Enduring Challenge for Ecumenism: The Council of Nicaea and Its Creed in Bilateral Theological Dialogues"
OELDEMANN Johannes (Paderborn, Germany)
"Nicaea and Empire 325 CE: Exploring the Colonial and Decolonial Tensions in the Process and Outcomes of Council"
RAGIES GUNDA Masiiwa (Switzerland/ Zimbabwe)
"Making sense of Nicaea after 1700 years"
WONG Wai Ching Angela (Hongkong, China)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE PARTICIPATION OF KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS AND OPENING PLENARY
Parallel sessions
Next to the six keynote speakers, around 50 scholars from all over the world will join the conference either in person or online to contribute with a 30-minute presentation in six parallel panels. Amongst them, famous scholars like Jörg Rieger, Kathleen M. Griffin, Elias K. Bongmba, and Velli-Matti Kärkkäinen will join, as well as young emerging colleagues. The cohort of Bossey Students from the Academic Year 2024-2025 will also be included in the program.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARALLEL SESSIONS IN SALLE GENEVA
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARALLEL SESSIONS IN SALLE LAUSANNE
Onsite Participation
Onsite participation is possible for those who will make accommodation arrangements outside the campus, as currently all available rooms in Château de Bossey have been already booked by the presenters.
You may consider booking at YOTEL Geneva lake which provides several room options and is conveniently located nearby (Chemin Ballessert 1, 1297 Founex). A daily shuttle bus to and from Bossey is planned for the participants staying at the YOTEL Geneva Lake Hotel. If you book your stay with YOTEL please inform the conference office about your participation – last day of registration with the conference office is the 21 October 2024.
A meal menu (starter, main course, desert) for lunch/dinner at the Ecumenical Institute/Château de Bossey costs CHF 22.00 without drinks. All participants are expected to financially cover and be responsible for the logistics for all local and international travel costs, board and lodging during the conference, all personal travel related expenses, such as passport, visa(s), vaccinations, any COVID-19 pandemic related tests/medical certificates/other required processes in order to travel internationally, travel insurance, board and lodging expenses en route, etc.
Conference Fee
There is no registration fee to the conference. Online participation, without a registration fee, is also possible.
If you do have any queries, do not hesitate to contact the conference office: [email protected]