Episode 4:

Anders interviews His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Archbishop of London. The Coptic Church has its metropolitan see in Alexandria, the birthplace of St Athanasius, the key Theologian of the Council, and his Patriarch, Alexander. The Coptic Church is part of a family of Churches which did not subscribe to the doctrines of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. But Copts are strong adherents of the earlier Councils, and regard Athanasius very much as one of their great saintly forbears. Archbishop Angaelos reflects with Anders on the significance of Nicaea and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed for his community today. In its heartland, Egypt, a Muslim majority country today, the Coptic Church has had its struggles and has known real concern. It remains a courageous witness to the Nicene faith.

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Episode 3:

William interviews His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. He is the leading Eastern Orthodox Bishop in England. Archbishop Nikitas was the son of Greek parents who lived in the US. His ministry has been international, serving for many years in Far East. He has been Archbishop since his election by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in June 2019. In April, with Lord Chartres, he led a ecumenical pilgrimage to Nicaea, organised by the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association. William poses questions about the Eastern Orthodox perspective on Nicaea, the date of Easter and the contentious subject of the Filioque.

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The decision is made to call a Council to find a doctrinal formulation about the person of Jesus Christ which all might unite around was Constantine’s aim. The Bishops gathered at Nicaea to debate the proposals. The choices were between the the teachings of the popular and enticing Arius and the serious but little known deacon, Athanasius. Amongst those in attendance were St Nicholas of Myra (Father Christmas in popular culture who existed as a reputed Bishop). The debates were serious and lasted over a month in the breezy tranquil imperial resort of Nicaea in the Asian side of the Bosphorus. After intervention from the Emperor himself the Bishops voted for Athanasius’s contention that the Son was “of the same substance” as the Father. The Arian controversy was seemingly ended. However neither Arianism nor Trinitarian discussions were at an end. They were only just beginning.

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