Feature story
With three dramatic dialogues, young actors got to the heart of why Nicaea is still relevant for us today.
As one said, “The debate wasn’t easy, was it?”
It still isn’t. But, as another young actor implored: “If we can’t do this together, what hope is there?”
From plans for courageous travels to Jerusalem during a dangerous time—spitting camels among the hazards—the dialogues offered a fresh look at the heart of Nicaea: “Christianity is for all the world,” a young actor uttered during the last scene at an imaginary fruit stand.
Present-day dialogue
Bringing the meeting back to the present, Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe, moderated the first of two panel discussions designed to explore how Nicaea is not just the territory of theologians but is for all Christians in the world today.
At one time in her life, she said, she thought of the Council of Nicaea as an academic conference, but in fact it was a gathering of people who came bearing wounds and traumas—and bearing intense faith as well.
She then began the session with a question for each panellist.“I want to start by asking each of you to tell us one thing about the whole story of Nicaea that is fascinating to you.”
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WCC president Rev. Dr Susan Durber of the United Reformed Church moderates a 'Pilgrimage Encounter with Apostolic Faith Today' at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’.
Albin Hillert/WCC
Rev. Dr Teddy Sakupapa, Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, reflected that, for him the Nicene Creed is analogous to “a plumb line for Christian orthodoxy.”
Rev. Dr Seoyoung Kim, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, pictured the Nicaea Council as people getting together who had different ideologies but were united in faith—a mentality she posited is highly needed in her nation today, where the Korean War has never officially ended.
H.E. Metropolitan Elder Emmanuel of Chalcedon (Ecumenical Patriarchate, who lives about an hour-and-a-half drive from Nicaea itself, described what current-day travellers might be able to see when they visit.
Renewed engagement
A second panel discussion was moderated by H.E. Dr Metr. Vasilios of Constantia and Ammochostos (Church of Cyprus), WCC president. “It’s a good sign that we celebrate 1700 years since the convocation of the Nicaea Council, but when we do that, this is not a memorial in which we go back and remember something that happened which doesn’t touch us—but I consider this as a renewed engagement.”
H.G. Bishop Abraham (Coptic Orthodox Church) brought an icon as a gift to the WCC governing body and reflected on how the icon’s message carries into the challenges we face today. “Do not give up. Do not fear the unknown. Walk the narrow road and Christ will meet you there,” he said.
Rev. Prof. Dr Stephanie Dietrich (Church of Norway), moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Faith and Order, offered a keynote speech on the theme of the upcoming Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order: “Where now for visible unity?”
The call to unity asks not only what we believe together—but what we can hope together as one body in Christ, noted Dietrich. “Looking ahead, the anticipated Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order presents a unique opportunity for our churches to renew our pilgrimage toward visible unity,” she said.
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H.G. Bishop Abraham of the Coptic Orthodox Church leads a meditation based on an icon during a Pilgrimage Encounter with Apostolic Faith Today, held at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’.
Albin Hillert/WCC
Other panelists responded to Dietrich’s remarks and to additional questions posed by the moderator.
Rev. Dr Marc Boss (Église protestante unie de France), reflected on the relationship between justice and unity. “If the recent work of Faith and Order could be encapsulated in a slogan—and I’m not sure that would be a good idea—it would be “Commitment to justice divides, moral discernment unites.”
H.E. Metropolitan Thomas of Quosia and Mir (Coptic Orthodox Church), took a more lyrical approach to the issues at hand, opening with a metaphor to illustrate the challenge of expressing the theological differences and similarities existing 1700 years ago and still today.
“First, of all I would like to ask a question: “What is the taste of water?” he asked. “Can someone write to me what the water tastes like?”
Rev. Dr Terri Hord Owens (Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)), brought a US context to the forefront, speaking of how the current US administration has sought to erase “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or DEI, from the government, from businesses, and from society.
But it can’t be erased from the church, Hord Owens said. “I would be considered a DEI hire,” she said.
The WCC central committee meeting is being live-streamed from 18-21 June, and then again on 23 June, from 8:30 am to 12:30 South Africa Standard Time.
A landing page provides a framework agenda, descriptions of the WCC constitution and rules, information and the consensus decision making process, and media accreditation applications.
WCC Central Committee, June 2025
Video recording of the Central committee Day 3
WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)
Welcomed by African churches, WCC central committee opens (WCC news release, 19 June 2025)
