A group of Christian denominations in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed (325–2025) with an ecumenical seminar on August 2 at Bishop’s College, Beck Bagan.
The event brought together theological scholars, clergy, and students from various Christian traditions to celebrate this milestone in the history of Christian doctrine.
The seminar was organized by the Theological Colleges of Bengal, including Roman Catholic, Church of North India (CNI), and Orthodox institutions. It was coordinated by Father Francis Sunil Rosario, Regional Secretary of the Commission for Ecumenism of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, with support from Dr. Henry Jose, MSFS, Dean of Theology at Morning Star Regional College and Seminary, and Dr. Sunil Caleb, Principal of Bishop’s College.
Representatives from Buntain Theology College (Assemblies of God) and Calcutta Bible Seminary also participated, highlighting the spirit of Christian unity and shared theological heritage.
Dr. Sunil Caleb opened the seminar, followed by a keynote address from Fr. George Panthanmackel, MSFS, Rector of Morning Star Regional Seminary, who set the tone for the day’s reflections on the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed.
Ms. Christine Nathan, President of the Indian Christian Movement for Change (ICMC), delivered a talk on “The Nicene Creed, Its Impact on the Life of Christians,” emphasizing its ongoing relevance in the everyday faith of believers.
The program also featured three key presentations: “Historical Perspective” by Dr. Zadingluaia Chinzah of Serampore College, “Theological Perspective” by Dr. Swarup Bar of Bishop’s College, and “Laity’s View: A Pastoral Perspective” by Allan Noronha (popularly known as Chotebhai), a Catholic lay leader and writer.
The seminar drew significant attention, with the presence of the newly elected Coadjutor Bishop of Calcutta, Elias Frank, and Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta. A commemorative souvenir marking the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed was released on the occasion.
Held in the heart of Kolkata, the event stood as a powerful testimony to the unity of faith across denominations andreaffirmed the Nicene Creed’s foundational role in Christian belief through the centuries.
The Council of Nicaea was convened in 325 by Emperor Constantine to resolve theological disputes, particularly the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. The resulting Nicene Creed became a cornerstone of Christian orthodoxy, affirming the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the triune nature of God.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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