St. John’s Seminary in Hyderabad Marks 1700ᵗʰ Nicaea Anniversary with Ecumenical Meet

Hyderabad, Nov 21, 2025: Nearly 300 clergy, pastors, religious, seminarians, theology students and lay faithful from different Christian traditions gathered at St. John’s Regional Seminary, Ramanthapur, Hyderabad to mark the 1700ᵗʰ anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The CCBI Commission for Ecumenism, the Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council (TCBC), the Federation of Telugu Bishops, theological colleges in Telangana, and members of various Christian denominations jointly hosted the ecumenical celebration, creating a shared space of reflection on the enduring legacy of the Nicene Creed.

Bishop Pilli Anthony Das of Nellore, Chairman of the TCBC Ecumenical Commission, delivered the Keynote Address in which he highlighted the urgent need for Christian unity and recalled that the Council of Nicaea remains a cornerstone of doctrinal clarity and a timeless call to unity in faith.

Explaining how Nicaea shaped the early Church, Ch. Joshi Anand Prakash of ACTC presented the historical context, challenges and key personalities of the Council, while Fr. V. Joji Babu of SJRS clarified the theological debates, particularly the doctrine of Christ, and the ways in which the Nicene formula safeguarded the apostolic faith. 

Reflecting on the pastoral implications of the Creed, B. Raja Shekar of MBCBC, emphasised how its teachings guide Christian life and ministry today. Bishop Kumar Swamy of the Good Shepherd Church in India highlighted the contemporary relevance of the Nicene Creed as a shared profession of faith that continues to unite Christians across traditions.

Fr. K. Anthaiah, Secretary of TCBC Ecumenism expressed gratitude, while Bishop Pilli Anthony Das offered the concluding prayer and benediction, invoking God’s blessings on all efforts towards unity.

By Fr. Anthaiah,

Secretary of TCBC Ecumenism