With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the Theological Conference entitled 1700 Years Since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, 325–2025 was held on the morning of Friday, 30 May, in the Synodal Hall of the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău.
The official opening of the conference began with the chanting of the Troparion of the Holy Fathers of Nicaea by “Mihail Berezovski” Choir of the St Reverend Dimitrios the New Church in Chișinău, conducted by Mr Dimitrian Albot.
His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir offered a word of blessing, presenting the essential facts and the ongoing importance of the First Ecumenical Council in the life of the Orthodox Church. He summarised the decisions adopted at the Council of Nicaea, which remain foundational to the doctrinal truth of the Church to this day.
The conference was divided into two sessions:
SESSION I – HISTORY AND THEOLOGY
Moderator: His Grace Dr Siluan, Bishop of Orhei
This session included presentations of historical and theological relevance:
- H.E. Dr Victor Țvircun, Ambassador, University Professor, PhD Habil. – The Historical, Political and Religious Context of the First Ecumenical Council (Nicaea 325)
- Archpriest Zosima Toia – The Nicene Creed: The Birth of the Orthodox Confession of Faith, the History of Its Drafting, the Theological Significance of the Expression “of one essence with the Father” and Its Importance in Orthodox Theology
- Priest Dr Nicolae Fuștei – The First Ecumenical Council and the Paschal Controversy
- Archpriest Vadim Cheibaș delivered a message from the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the State University of Moldova, on the occasion of the celebration of 1700 years since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
SESSION II – WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY
Moderator: Archpriest Dr Vadim Cheibaș, Metropolitan Secretary
- Academician Ion Guceac, Professor – Reflections on the Development of Church–State Relations. Legal Implications and Social Consequences
- Mr. Oleg Serebrean, Ambassador, PhD, Deputy Prime Minister – Unity of Faith as the Foundation of Social Peace – The Lesson of the Council of Nicaea for Moldovan Society
- Archimandrite Porfirie (Dobre) – Tomis at Nicaea: The Role of the Geto-Dacian-Roman Bishop in Upholding the Orthodox Faith
- Mother Epistemia (Goncearenco), Abbess – The Danger of Contemporary Arianism or the Alienation of Humanity from the primary purpose of human life – Theosis
Also in attendance were: His Grace Bishop Filaret of Căpriana (Vicar Bishop), monastic superiors, deans, heads of Synodal Sectors of the Chișinău Eparchy, academics and university professors.
At the closure of the event, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir delivered the concluding remarks and presented certificates of participation.
Synodal Sector for Institutional Communication and Media Relations