Exploring Christian unity on the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

The College of St. Scholastica will host renowned Orthodox theologian Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk for a lecture examining the enduring legacy of the Council of Nicaea and its potential to bridge Christian denominational divides on Friday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Mitchell Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Gavrilyuk is a distinguished theologian and professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. His expertise in Orthodox theology and early Christianity positions him as a leading voice in contemporary ecumenical dialogue and patristic studies.

The lecture will explore the main issues that continue to divide Catholic and Orthodox Churches, discuss the role of the Nicene Creed as the foundation of shared Christian faith, and propose pathways toward full communion between these ancient traditions. The presentation marks the 1700th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, which established fundamental Christian doctrines that remain central to faith communities worldwide.

Dr. Kevin Vaughan, director of the Braegelman Catholic Studies Program at The College of St. Scholastica, emphasized the significance of the upcoming lecture: “The Council of Nicaea was a defining moment within the history of Christianity. And the creed that it produced continues to be professed by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and main Protestant churches today. I look forward to hearing Dr. Gavrilyuk’s insights into how the Nicene creed can inspire paths of unity within a divided Christian landscape.”

The lecture is sponsored by the Braegelman Catholic Studies Program, which explores the Catholic intellectual tradition with students and the larger community. The program showcases Catholicism as a monument of human flourishing and is designed for those interested in deepening their knowledge of Catholicism’s rich tradition and its interaction with culture.