One Creed, Many Voices: Kolkata’s Churches Unite on 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed

Isaac Harold Gomes –

On Saturday 02 August 2025, Bishop’s College Kolkata, under the auspices of its principal Rev. Dr Sunil Caleb and his team, befittingly hosted the historic event of 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed which was promulgated by Emperor Constantine in collaboration with 300 bishops (from far and near) in Nicaea (now İznik, Republic of Türkiye) in 325 AD.

The historic convention was very aptly described by Bishop Paritosh Canning (Bishop of Calcutta, CNI and President-Bengal Christian Association). He wrote: “I am particularly moved to see the spirit of ‘Ut Unum Sint’ (that they may be one) embodied in the joint efforts of the Theological Colleges of Bengal – Bishop’s College, Morning Star Regional Seminary-Barrackpore, Serampore College, Calcutta Bible Seminary and Buntain Theological College in organising this profound celebration.

This collaborative endeavour, under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Bishops, CNI Bishops, and Orthodox Churches of Bengal, is a powerful testament to our shared faith and our commitment to Ecumenical Unity. As we gather as “Pilgrims of Hope,” let us seize this opportunity to reflect on the Creed’s historical significance, reaffirm its doctrinal importance and explore its ongoing relevance for Christian Life and Ministry.”

After a brief introduction by Rev Sunil Caleb, renowned Bengali theologian, journalist and freedom fighter and classmate of Swami Vivekananda, Brahmabandhab Upadhyay’s (1861-1907) Sanskrit composition Vande Vande Sachidanandam Vande Sachidanandam, Vande Vande meaning Worship, worship (the One who is) Being, Knowledge, Bliss…

The Supreme, Ancient, Higher than the high… (Who is) Fullness, Wholeness, Beyond… Worship, worship, worship) was aesthetically sung by Bishop’s College choir.

All stood up and recited the Nicene Creed.  Thereafter, a colourful souvenir on the historic event was released by Thomas D’Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta.

The Nicene Creed, is the only ecumenical creed on Christian statement of faith because it is accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches.

Rev. Dr. George Panthanmackel, MSFS of Morning Star College, Barrackpore (holder of three doctorates) gave the keynote address.   At the outset he clarified that the Nicene Conference in 325 AD was necessitated owing to the Arian Heresy. Arius, a priest from Alexandria, challenged the traditional belief in the divinity of Christ, arguing that Jesus was a created being, and can’t be equal to God the Father. This view was widely supported.

To stamp out Arianism for good, and to establish that Jesus was Fully God yet Fully Human, Emperor Constantine called around 300 bishops conference and emphasised on the inclusion of `consubstantial’ (literally, “of the same substance”). He ensured that the Nicene Council affirmed that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.”  This phrase was incorporated in the Creed.

Rev. George clarified that the Nicene Creed we recite today isn’t the same which was adopted in Nicaea in 325 AD.  Some additions were made in subsequent conferences.  For example, 381 AD Council of Constantinople further clarified the Nicene Creed, particularly regarding the Holy Spirit as: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.” This addition was crucial in establishing the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit is also divine and equal to the Father and the Son.

During Question-Answer session on Rev. George’s keynote address, one participant said that the Nicene Creed which was written 1700 years ago, needs to be revised in keeping with times, to be more inclusive. Rev. George replied that for this another Council needs to be held.

Ms Christine Nathan, President of International Catholic Migrants’ Commission (ICMC) was the next speaker.  Her topic was the `Impact of Nicene Creed on the life of Christians.’  She has a vast experience of having worked with International Labour Organisation (ILO), several NGOs and Civil Societies.  She is also a noted trade unionist from Mumbai.  Salient features of Ms Nathan’s dissertation are given below:

“Why do we need the Nicene Creed instead of the Word?

(She answered the Creed is an authoritative and incontrovertible church document).

Arius argued that the Son was a created being, and therefore, subordinate to the Father.

Emperor Constantine wanted uniformity in Christian faith (Creed) to consolidate his rule over the Christian world. He disliked any form of dissent. So, the 325 AD Nicene Council was also called out of his political compulsion.

Arius was condemned and exiled. His writings were declared blasphemous.

The Nicene Creed helps in cementing the faith in one God and His justice among migrants and refugees. She mentioned late Pope Francis was very supportive of migrants/refugees and this helped ICMC rehabilitate 500,000 refugees from Syria and other countries in the USA.

After Ms Nathan, Rev. Dr Zadingluaia Chinzah of Serampore College spoke on the History of the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed.  Key points of his talk were:

Arius, a highly-respected priest from Alexandria argued that Jesus was a created being, inferior to God the Father and not of the same substance (consubstantial) as Him.

After intense debate, the Council affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ, declaring Him to be “co-eternal” and “consubstantial” with the Father. This statement of faith has shaped Christian doctrine for centuries.

The Council of Nicaea marked a turning point in Christian history, demonstrating the Church’s ability to unite on core doctrines. Today, the Nicene Creed remains a fundamental statement of faith, recited in churches around the world.

Rev. Dr Swarup Bar (Professor of Christian Theology, Bishop’s College) spoke on the doctrinal and theological dimensions of Nicene Creed as follows:

Nicene Creed is actually Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (the more accurate term). It’s for continuity and unchangeability.

The Creed was developed by Emperor Constantine in a very political context.

Despite this limitation, there are many theological and doctrinal elements that continue to be relevant to the Christian faith today. The Creed has stood the test of time for 1700 years.

To embody the `Trinitarian’ framework of the Creed, Greek terminologies were used as they were considered most appropriate.

There was only one line on the Holy Spirit in 325 AD Nicene Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit”. This contrasts with the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381 AD, which expanded on the Holy Spirit’s role and nature.

Divinity of the Son Jesus is very important because otherwise the Salvation History doesn’t hold good. Nicene Creed establishes that Jesus’ Resurrection has indeed happened.

The feminist perspectives of the Nicene Creed are:

Jesus became Human, not man.

We only highlight the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus but not his birth.  The Nicene Creed does.

Chhotebhai (a towering lay leader, former President of All India Catholic Union and currently Convenor of Indian Catholic Forum) dealt on the Pastoral dimension of the Nicene Creed from Laity’s point of view.  He covered three areas on the Creed as follows:

The Trinity:

• The Trinity is the heart of the Christian faith. However, contrary to popular perception, it is not a mystery. Once church authorities say something is a mystery, further discussion on the matter is closed.
• Nothing in Christianity can overshadow the Trinity.
• In simple terms, the Trinity is a family of love. A couple finds fulfilment of their love in their children. The Holy Spirit is the fruit or the bond of love between the Father and the Son.

Non-Christian Impact behind the Conference of Nicaea:

• Christians that time were divided, the impulse to unite them came from outside the Christian community.
• Faith deepens through our engagement with non-believers.
• Jesus too experienced transformation in his encounters with non-Jews.
• Atheist, Hindu or Muslim leaders can help Christians to progress.

Legalese:

• The 300 bishops at Nicaea issued 20 new canons as the first Canon Laws.
• Nicaea reminds us that in a growing church (currently estimated to be around 2.4 billion), rules are necessary, but not over-regulation.
• Christian faith cannot be confined within a rigid framework of codes, prescriptions, prohibitions and laws.
• Jesus disliked the Jewish leaders who were excessively sticklers of law/rituals.
• Some Christian communities have become excessively rigid burdening their members with too many rules. This Totalitarian Christianity has resulted in many walking away from the Church.
• A set of cymbals (kartaal in Bengali) exemplify the Trinity very well. It has three parts in a single entity. There are two metal parts and a cord binds the two as the Holy Spirit synchronizes with the Father and the Son.
• Hinduism also has a concept of a triune godhead – Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver) and Mahesh (Shiva – the controller and guide).
• Despite not having the Creed, Hinduism has been surviving for thousands of years.
• The unity of nature and creation points to one God who lets the sun shine or rain fall on all, good or bad (Mat.5:45).
• Jesus was a genius who never taught complex theology. He used simple story-telling (parables) to unravel the mysteries of God’s Kingdom.
• Our endeavour should be not theological squabbles, but to get on with our pastoral ministry of reaching out to the needy.

After the above erudite dissertations by the three distinguished panellists, a Panel Discussion began at 11:40 am.  Several questions were asked by the knowledgeable audience and they were answered admirably.

The credit for the seamless organization of the entire programme goes to Rev. Dr Sunil Caleb and to Rev. Francis Sunil Rosario, Regional Secretary, West Bengal Commission for Ecumenism, CCBI.