On November 28th, the Pope Leo XIV travels to Iznik, in Türkiye, to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of NicaeaAnd he will do something symbolically enormous: recite the Creed in its original version, without the famous "Filioque" clause. A small Latin word that has divided Catholics and Orthodox for over a thousand years.
A return to our roots on the shores of Iznik
An exceptional commemoration
Imagine the scene: some twenty Christian leaders gathered before the remains of a submerged ancient basilica, reciting together the first profession of faith of the ChristianityThis is exactly what will happen in Iznik, the ancient Nicaea.
As Archbishop Job Getcha, Metropolitan of Pisidia, explains: "This is about commemorating the first ecumenical council. Nicaea defined the foundations of the Christian faith."
Why this is important
THE Council of Nicaea (325) This is the first council that Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants all recognize. A rare point of agreement, which had to be celebrated.
The "Filioque": that little word that changed everything
A story of theology… and politics
The "Filioque" means "and from the Son." In practical terms, Catholics affirm that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. and of the Son, while the Orthodox adhere to the original formula: the Spirit proceeds from the Father, period.
This clause was gradually added in the West (probably at the Council of Toledo in 589), then officially adopted in 1014 under pressure from Emperor Henry II. The Orthodox never accepted this unilateral change and consider it one of the major causes of the schism of 1054.
A gesture already made by Leo XIV
This is not the first time that Leo XIV He omits the "Filioque". In September 2025, he had already recited this "simplified" Creed during an ecumenical celebration at Saint Paul Outside the Walls. A habit that is taking hold, then.
A still fragile unity
Notable absences
The family photo will be beautiful, but incomplete. The Patriarchate of Constantinople only invited the Orthodox Churches established in the first millennium. As a result, the Patriarchate of Moscow, which has been in rupture with Constantinople since the war in Ukrainewill not be participating.
This commemoration perfectly illustrates the state of the Christian world: strong gestures towards unity, but deep divisions that persist. The road is still long, but every step counts.
