His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, participated in the historic 1700th Anniversary Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, held in İznik (ancient Nicaea), Turkey. This solemn gathering brought together heads of Churches and distinguished hierarchs from around the world to honor the Council that affirmed the foundational confession of Christian faith in the Nicene Creed.
His Holiness joined His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and other esteemed hierarchs in the commemorative prayer service, offering prayers for the unity of the Church and the continued witness of the Gospel in the world. The participation of the Catholicos highlighted the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s commitment to ecumenical witness and its longstanding relationship with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Also present was His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, whose deep connection with the Malankara Church spans many years. Archbishop Elpidophoros has been a consistent friend of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, often affirming the historic ties between the Churches of India and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. His Eminence’s presence at this commemoration further underscored the spirit of mutual respect, friendship, and shared apostolic heritage.
The Malankara Church cherishes its warm relationship with the Patriarchate of Constantinople and looks forward to continued collaboration in ecumenical dialogue, theological reflection, and joint Christian witness. The 1700th commemoration served as a profound reminder of the unity of the ancient Christian tradition and the shared responsibility of all Apostolic Churches to safeguard the faith proclaimed at Nicaea.