Call for Papers
NICAEA AT 1700: THE FIRST COUNCIL AND THE ‘WAY TOGETHER’
Oct. 2–4, 2025
Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Blvd., Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 had a significant bearing upon the unity of the universal church, such that its creed continues to be prayed by Catholics, Orthodox, and Evangelical Christians alike. Nicaea at 1700: The First Council and the ‘Way Together’ seeks to explore the relationship between the Council of Nicaea and the local church. Reexamining the theology, documents, and canons of Nicaea presents a moment of ressourcement for the church today. How did Nicaea and its implementation help inform the Church’s understanding of the dialectic between the universal and the particular church, especially for priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers in the New Evangelization? Nicaea at 1700 will feature keynote lectures from Khaled Anatolios, Andrew Hofer, and Lewis Ayres.
Scholars are encouraged to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words exploring the theme of the conference through the lens of their own research, which they may present during break-out sessions. Following the conference, break-out session presenters will be invited to submit their work for a conference proceedings publication. Relevant topics include but are not limited to…
• Scripture and Nicaea
• Nicaea and its Texts—Definition, Anathematization, Canons
• Nicaea and Reception History
• Nicaea’s Proponents
• Nicaea’s Opponents
• Early Western Reception of Nicaea (e.g., Augustine, Boethius, etc.)
• Philosophical Foundations of Nicene Orthodoxy
• Nicaea and Church-State Relations
• The Nicene Creed in Liturgical Traditions
• The 318 Fathers of Nicaea
• Nicaea and Ecumenism
• Nicaea and the New Evangelization
• Ressourcement and the New Evangelization
• Nicaea as a Model/Caution for Synodality
Deadline for submission: Nov. 30, 2024
To submit an abstract or for more information, please visit www.shms.edu/nicaea2025 or email nicaea2025@shms.edu.