On the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea (325 AD), the Metropolis of Veria, Naousa and Kampania organized the annual International Academic Conference of the 31st “Pavleia Celebrations,” with the theme: “The Apostle Paul and the First Ecumenical Council.”
On this occasion, Patriarch Daniel of Romania sent a heartfelt message, highlighting the significance of the Apostle Paul’s presence in the theological foundation of the First Council, as well as the timeless role of Nicaea in shaping and preserving the Orthodox faith.
Read below is the full message of Patriarch Daniel of Romania:
The Apostle Paul and the First Ecumenical Council (325 AD)
With profound joy in Christ our God, we received the invitation to participate in the International Academic Conference of the 31st Pavleia Celebrations, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Paul, the founder of the Holy Metropolis of Veria, Naousa, and Kampania.
This year’s theme of the Pavleia Conference “The Apostle Paul and the First Ecumenical Council”, is highly timely and relevant, as the Holy Fathers of Nicaea, in the year 325, solemnly and synodally articulated the Church’s first Creed, which became the standard and foundation for subsequent doctrinal definitions issued by later Ecumenical Councils in response to heresies.
The Holy Apostle Paul was the one who, with great theological insight, reflected on the life of the early Christian communities – some of which he personally founded – and on the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God for our salvation, as well as the restoration of humanity’s joyful union with the Holy Trinity through the Holy Spirit, in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:13).
The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea was not only a period of doctrinal confrontation with contemporary heresies but also a foundational milestone in the formal articulation and confession of Orthodox faith in Jesus Christ as the true Savior – this, after three centuries of persecution and hostility against Christians in the Roman Empire. Through the Nicene Creed, the Holy Fathers professed that the purpose of the Incarnation of the eternal Son of God was the salvation of humankind: “Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, was incarnate, suffered, and rose again on the third day, ascended into the heavens, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.”
The salvation of mankind means the forgiveness of sins and union with God, the Source of eternal life. Therefore, the Holy Fathers of Nicaea declared that if our Lord Jesus Christ is not truly and fully God, then mankind cannot attain salvation and eternal life.
The organization of this International Academic Conference of the Pavleia Celebrations under the theme “The Apostle Paul and the First Ecumenical Council” is a moment of great spiritual joy for the entire Orthodox Church. It stands as one of the most important events of the year 2025, commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. This gathering will contribute significantly to reinforcing the sense of responsibility in preserving the Orthodox faith and the unity of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray to God that the proceedings of the Conference will bear abundant spiritual fruit for the good of the Orthodox Church, so that Christians of future generations may become zealous and faithful confessors, like the Apostle Paul himself, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for our salvation.
With paternal blessing in Christ our God and fraternal rejoicing,
† DANIEL
Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Romania
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
