{"id":93485,"date":"2025-03-31T00:01:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T08:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=93485"},"modified":"2025-03-31T06:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T14:12:14","slug":"vatican-to-hold-a-nicea-2025-meeting-this-week-the-rome-and-the-orthodox-have-june-2025-scheduled-with-ecumenical-unity-the-goal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/religious-news\/vatican-to-hold-a-nicea-2025-meeting-this-week-the-rome-and-the-orthodox-have-june-2025-scheduled-with-ecumenical-unity-the-goal\/","title":{"rendered":"Vatican to hold a ‘Nicea 2025’ meeting this week; The Rome and the Orthodox have June 2025 scheduled with ecumenical unity the goal"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n(Augustinian Patristic\u00a0Pontifical<\/span><\/span><\/span> Institute)<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

The Church of Rome has been preparing for a major meeting related to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea that was convened by the sun-god worshipping Emperor Constantine in 325 A.D.:<\/p>\n

The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 was a decisive moment in the definition of Christian belief, discipline and practice. The debates that followed the council over the course of the fourth century led to the Nicene creed as it is now used by many Christian traditions, and to the development of classical Trinitarian theology. But with the council and its aftermath we also see new canonical structures gradually emerging \u2013 the concept of an ecumenical council, and the concept of a universal creed, for example. Nicaea 2025 welcomes papers on all aspects of this council: background to the Council, the theology of those who shaped its creed, the canons of the Council, the debates that followed.<\/p>\n

Nicaea 2025 will be held for two days at the Augustinianum, and then two days at the Angelicum between 2-5 April 2025. Plenary lectures will be held in the mornings, while the afternoons will be occupied with sessions of shorter papers. (https:\/\/angelicum.it\/event\/nicaea-april-2025\/<\/a> accessed 03\/30\/25)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The first Council of Nicaea met from May until the end of July 325.<\/sup><\/p>\n

The Pope of Rome has expressed interest in celebrating this in Turkey with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. However, because of his health, it is not clear if he will attend:<\/p>\n

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Pope Francis has expressed interest in attending the event, but his participation remains uncertain due to health concerns. 03\/25\/25 https:\/\/zenit.org\/2025\/03\/25\/pope-francis-does-not-accept-cardinal-kochs-resignation-could-continue-at-least-until-anniversary-of-council-of-nicea\/#google_vignette<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Perhaps it should be pointed out that the Bishop of Rome (they were not called Popes then), Sylvester I,\u00a0 did NOT attend the original Council of Nicea in 325, but did have a representative there.<\/p>\n

We may or may not see the same this year.<\/p>\n

Many of the Eastern Orthodox have high hopes for a June 2025 ecumenical meeting as the following suggests:<\/p>\n

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Co-organized by IOTA and the Institute for the Ecumenical Studies of the Angelicum<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

The Council of Nicaea (325) is foundational for Orthodox-Catholic unity. The Council inaugurated a synodal way of addressing theological and canonical issues at the universal level. The Nicene Creed provided a theological vision of the triune God that continues to guide the common faith of Christians, in particular, of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The conference will focus on articulating this common faith in today\u2019s world with a view of moving two churches closer to full communion. Over 100 experts from different Christian traditions<\/b> will discuss such topics as the doctrines of the trinity and incarnation, synodality and primacy, heresy and schism, the date of Easter, and other practical matters in light of the First Ecumenical Council.<\/p>\n

The conference will bring together members of bilateral dialogues and ecumenical organizations, such as Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, Conference of European Churches, Huffington Ecumenical Institute, Pro Oriente Foundation, St. Irenaeus Joint Orthodox-Catholic Working Group, Society for the Law of the Eastern Churches, and Center of Ecumenical, Missiological, and Environmental Studies. (https:\/\/iota-web.org\/nicaea-2025\/<\/a> accessed 03\/02\/25)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Regarding this 1700th anniversary, back in 2014, we put together the following video:<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Continuing<\/em>\u00a0Church of God<\/a>\u00a0is pleased to announce our latest video on our\u00a0Bible New Prophecy<\/a>\u00a0YouTube channel:<\/p>\n

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3rd Council of Nicea in 2025?<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The first ecumenical Council of Nicea was in 325 A.D. The Second Council of Nicea began in 787 A.D. The Roman Catholic Pope Francis and the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople have called for a meeting between the Orthodox and the Vatican to take place in the year 2025. What was the result of the earlier councils? Does the Bible support this 2025 meeting? What are some of the dangers?<\/p>\n

Written information on the first Council of Nicea is included in the post\u00a0Ecumenical meeting in Nicea planned for 2025: What happened in 325 and what could happen in\/by 2025?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Here is a link to our video:\u00a03rd Council of Nicea in 2025?<\/a><\/p>\n

The Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> also put out a more recent video on our Bible New Prophecy<\/a> YouTube channel:<\/p>\n

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Vatican\u2019s \u2018Bait & Switch\u2019?<\/a><\/h3>\n

On June 13, 2024, the Vatican released \u201ca new document was presented by the Dicastery for Christian Unity on the role of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) in view of an eventual unity with all the Christian Churches.\u201d This is something that certain ecumenical ones, including Pope Francis and Cardinal Kurt Koch (the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity) have been working on. This document is intended to reduce the relative importance of the Patriarch of Rome, compared to leaders of other faiths (and we believe many are sincere about that) to increase unity among the world\u2019s churches. The 1700 year anniversary of Emperor Constantine\u2019s Council of Nicea is set for 20 May 2025. This is something that the Eastern Orthodox, Vatican, various Protestants, and the World Council of Churches endorse, but not the Church of God as \u2018Judeao-Christians\u2019 also did not attend the 325 A.D. council. Some Greco-Roman prophecies are looking for a council that will result in unity and satisfy the heretics, whereas others warn against it as well as the rise of an antipope, who looks to be the final Antichrist of the Bible. Biblically, the 13 June change to the pope\u2019s role looks like it will be a type of \u201cbait and switch\u201d as the False Prophet, the two-horned beast of Revelation <\/span>13:11<\/span>-17 will still rise up. Might signs and lying wonders be used for worldly unity? According to an Eastern Orthodox writer, might false Marian matters be involved for that type of unification? Is there a church against the \u201cunity of God\u201d that Emperor Theodosius had adopted in 381 A.D.? Who could be the \u201csecret sect\u201d some think arises in the end times? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to our video: Vatican\u2019s \u2018Bait & Switch\u2019?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It still looks like this third council will take place.<\/p>\n

Now some may say, they believe ecumenical unity between the Catholics of Rome, the Eastern Orthodox Catholics, and Protestants is a good thing. And if they were intent on contending earnestly for \u201cthe faith once for all delivered to the saints\u201d (June 3), it could be.<\/p>\n

But it is not.<\/p>\n

A decade ago, The Atlantic<\/em> made the following statements about Nicea for 2025 and 325:<\/p>\n

Mark your calendars: In 2025, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians may return to Nicaea, the spot in modern-day Turkey where Christianity was literally defined. In 325, early followers of Jesus came together to figure out what it means to be a Christian; the goal was to create theological consensus across all of Christendom.\u00a0
\nhttp:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/international\/archive\/2014\/05\/what-does-it-mean-that-there-will-be-a-new-council-of-nicaea\/371943\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That is simply not case regarding 325 A.D. What happened was that the sun-god worshiping Emperor Constantine declared himself an unbaptized, unordained bishop and summoned Greco-Roman bishops under imperial threat to attend a meeting he convened.<\/p>\n

It did not represent “all Christendom” as no Church of God leaders attended.\u00a0 But that council, and subsequent ones, did result in the adoption of doctrines that the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Protestants ended up accepting.\u00a0 Several of which were not held by the original apostles or their faithful followers.<\/p>\n

It was about one year after conquering the Eastern Empire (thus resurrecting the combined Roman Empire) the sun-worshiping Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicea. That Council declared:<\/p>\n

1) The Roman Sun-day or day of the Sun was to be the Christian Sabbath.<\/p>\n

2) Rules regarding seasonal prayers, penance, and indulgences.<\/p>\n

3) That the Greco-Romans believed that Jesus was one substance with God the Father.<\/p>\n

4) Passover would be on Sunday and not the biblical date of Nisan 14.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Perhaps it should be mentioned that this Council did not prohibit pagan sun-worship, but instead decreed that true Christians should not keep the seventh-day Sabbath nor should they be allowed to keep Passover on the 14th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Here is some of what the Greco-Roman Catholic historian Epiphanius wrote in the mid-4th Century:<\/p>\n

… the emperor … convened a council of 318 bishops … in the city of Nicea … They passed certain ecclesiastical canons at the council besides, and at the same time decreed in regard to the Passover that there must be one unanimous concord on the celebration of God\u2019s holy and supremely excellent day. For it was variously observed by people …<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Eventually, those in parts of Europe (e.g. Britain and Germany) changed the name from Passover to Easter (Ostern<\/em> in German). Easter and Ostern are other names for the Babylonian goddess Ishtar (which can be pronounced as Easter), the so-called queen of heaven (also called Ashtaroth in the Bible in 1 Samuel 12:10). The \u201cQueen of Heaven\u201d is also a title that has been associated with Europa, for whom the continent of Europe is named.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em> goes so far as to claim:<\/p>\n

1170<\/strong> At the Council of Nicea in 325, all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This simply is not really true, and it should not be taught in the modern Catechism<\/em>. Passover was still kept on the correct day by the scattered faithful church and always has been, since the time of Christ. The fact that the Emperor got an agreement from those he summoned did not change the Bible (or its truly faithful followers).<\/p>\n

It should be noted that it is understood, even by some Roman Catholic scholars, that \u201cJudeo-Christian\u201d churches were not represented on at that Council. Notice what priest Bellarmino Bagatti wrote:<\/p>\n

\u2026the inhabitants of Syria, of Cilicia and of Mesopotamia were still celebrating Easter {Passover} with the Jews\u2026<\/p>\n

The importance of the matters to be discussed and the great division that existed had led Constantine to bring together a big number of bishops, including confessors of the faith, in order to give the impression that the whole of Christendom was represented.<\/p>\n

In fact\u2026the churches of Jewish stock had had no representation\u2026From this we can conclude that no Judaeo-Christian bishop participated in the Council.\u00a0 Either they were not invited or they declined to attend.\u00a0 And so the capitulars had a free hand to establish norms for certain practices without meeting opposition or hearing other view points. Once the road was open future Councils would continue on these lines, thus deepening the breach between the Christians of two-stocks.\u00a0 The point of view of the Judaeo-Christians<\/strong>, devoid of Greek philosophical formation, was that of keeping steadfast to the Testimonia<\/em>, and therefore not to admit any word foreign to the Bible<\/strong>, including Homoousion<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, there were Christians who believed in basing doctrine only on the Bible, but they did not attend Nicea or any of the later Councils. Mainly, if not only, those who seemed to accept \u201cGreek philosophical formation\u201d attended. Thus, no true Christian should consider that these Councils were called of God.<\/p>\n

Constantine’s church historian, Eusebius, recorded the following details about Constantine convening that Council:<\/p>\n

But before this time another most virulent disorder had existed, and long afflicted the Church; I mean the difference respecting the salutary feast of Easter{Passover}. For while one party asserted that the Jewish custom should be adhered to, the other affirmed that the exact recurrence of the period should be observed, without following the authority of those\u2026<\/p>\n

Then as if to bring a divine array against this enemy, he convoked a general council, and invited the speedy attendance of bishops from all quarters, in letters expressive of the honorable estimation in which he held them. Nor was this merely the issuing of a bare command but the emperor\u2019s good will contributed much to its being carried into effect: for he allowed some the use of the public means of conveyance, while he afforded to others an ample supply of horses for their transport.\u00a0 The place, too, selected for the synod, the city Nic\u00e6a in Bithynia\u2026 In effect, the most distinguished of God\u2019s ministers from all the churches which abounded in Europe, Lybia, and Asia were here assembled\u2026 Constantine is the first prince of any age who bound together such a garland as this with the bond of peace, and presented it to his Saviour as a thank-offering for the victories he had obtained over every foe, thus exhibiting in our own times a similitude of the apostolic company…<\/p>\n

The result was that they were not only united as concerning the faith, but that the time for the celebration of the salutary feast of Easter was agreed on by all\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What was the justification for this, or for Eusebius calling those who kept biblical practices \u201cthis enemy\u201d?<\/p>\n

Well, although the word Pascha<\/em> (which means Passover) is mistranslated as Easter above and below, Constantine clearly felt that the Jews were detestable and that he did not want his church to follow practices like theirs. Notice what Constantine declared:<\/p>\n

At this meeting the question concerning the most holy day of Easter {Passover} was discussed, and it was resolved by the united judgment of all present, that this feast ought to be kept by all and in every place on one and the same day. For what can be more becoming or honorable to us than that this feast from which we date our hopes of immortality, should be observed unfailingly by all alike, according to one ascertained order and arrangement? And first of all, it appeared an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast we should follow the practice of the Jews, who have impiously defiled their hands with enormous sin, and are, therefore, deservedly afflicted with blindness of soul. For we have it in our power, if we abandon their custom, to prolong the due observance of this ordinance to future ages, by a truer order, which we have preserved from the very day of the passion until the present time. Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd; for we have received from our Saviour a different way<\/strong>. A course at once legitimate and honorable lies open to our most holy religion. Beloved brethren, let us with one consent adopt this course, and withdraw ourselves from all participation in their baseness.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It perhaps should be noted that Jesus kept Passover on the 14th.\u00a0 <\/sup>Calling the \u201cJewish crowd\u201d detestable is not appropriate for real Christians. Jesus did not implement Sunday Passover as a \u201cdifferent way.\u201d This is further evidence that those who are following Constantine\u2019s decrees are not following those made by a true Christian.<\/p>\n

The Greco-Roman Catholic Epiphanius, himself, actually admitted that the church used to observe the 14th<\/sup> for Passover when he wrote:<\/p>\n

Audians…they choose to celebrate the Passover<\/strong> with the Jews–that is they contentiously celebrate the Passover at the same time as the Jews are holding their Festival of Unleavened Bread<\/strong>. And indeed that this used to be the church\u2019s custom<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thus, Epiphanius seemed to realize that Passover on the 14th<\/sup> was the original Passover date, even for the early Greco-Romans, since he wrote \u201cthis used to be the church\u2019s custom.<\/strong>\u201d\u00a0 See also the article The Passover Plot.<\/a><\/p>\n

Protestant scholar H. Brown noted:<\/p>\n

Although Constantine<\/strong> is usually remembered for the steps he took toward making Christianity the established religion of the Roman Empire, it would not be wrong to consider him the one who inaugurated the centuries of trinitarian orthodoxy. It was he who proposed and perhaps even imposed the expression homoousis<\/em> at the Council of Nicea in 325<\/strong>, and it was he who provided government aid to the orthodox and exerted government pressure against nonconformists.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So some scholars basically admit that the initial acceptance of the trinity was forced upon professing Christians by a sun-worshiping Emperor who appointed himself as a bishop (so much for that \u201capostolic succession\u201d), and who proposed something that ultimately became (in 381 A.D.) the trinitarian doctrine very similar to that which the Roman Catholics\/Orthodox\/Protestants now teach.<\/p>\n

Since Constantine had been a follower of Mithras, the idea of a trinitarian deity was something he and other pagans had been familiar with. L.L. Paine noted:<\/p>\n

Mithra, who was originally subordinate to Ormuzd, and even reduced to the third place in the triad, subsequently rose practically to the first place, supplanting Ormuzd himself. Such a process, by which the mediating member of the trinity, as the special friend and savior of men, should become first and nearest in the thoughts, and affections, and hopes of men, and hence in time first in the divine order of the gods, is most natural, and we have already found it a marked feature of the historical evolution of most of the Ethnic trinities. Thus in the Babylonian triad Marduk, the mediating sun-god, usurps the place of Ea, his father. The same was true of Vishnu-Krishna in the Hindoo trinity, who, in his capacity of god- man and mediator, reduced Brahma to almost a shadow. So Mithraism pushed Ormuzd back into a place of inferiority, or rather he was quietly displaced and forgotten.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice the following, which Dr. Brown wrote, and which many Catholic\/ Protestant\/Orthodox theologians seem to accept:<\/p>\n

The concept of three persons (hypostases<\/em>)\u2026or homooussia<\/em>\u2026the doctrine of the Trinity\u2026will never be understood by humans in any full sense.\u00a0 It will always remain a mystery\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Actually, those of us in the Continuing <\/em>Church of God see no real mystery here. The Greco-Roman churches had doctrinal confusion. A pagan Emperor came up with an idea. The idea was developed further by the Greco-Roman confederation. It later was enforced by various Roman emperors upon Rome\u2019s subjects. The fact that the Bible teaches that \u201cGod is not the author of confusion\u201d (1 Corinthians 14:33) provides scriptural support for the view that the Greco-Roman trinity is a human invention and the historical records document this to those who are willing to see it.\u00a0 See also the article Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity?<\/a><\/p>\n

Notice what a former priest wrote about Constantine:<\/p>\n

Constantine … No one was ever more devoted to than he to the sun god, Sol … Emperor Constantine never relinquished his title of Pontifex Maximus, head of the pagan state cult … <\/strong>Twice married, he murdered Crispus his son by his first wife, in 326. He had his second wife drowned in the bath; killed his eleven year old nephew, then his brother-in-law, after giving him assurances of safe conduct under oath …<\/p>\n

Constantine was a soldier at a time when shedding blood was unacceptable to the church … <\/strong>When Constantine called bishops his beloved brethren and styled himself \u2018Bishop of Bishops\u2019<\/strong>, which popes later appropriated, he was not a Christian, not even a catechumen. Yet no one remotely approached his stature and authority. Even the Bishop of Rome … <\/strong>was in comparison, a non-entity … <\/strong>All bishops agreed that he was \u2018the inspired oracle, the apostle of Church wisdom\u2019 …<\/p>\n

It is another paradox of history that it was Constantine, a pagan, who invented the idea of a council of all Christian communities … At Nicaea the Founding Father of Ecumenical Councils gathered 300 hundred bishops, having laid on free transport … Maybe he simply wanted to show that he was in charge. He proposed what came to be called \u2018the orthodox view\u2019 of God\u2019s Son being \u2018of one substance\u2019 with the Father. All dissident bishops caved in, except for two whom Constantine promptly deposed and sent packing … His cynical use of Christ, in which everyone including the Roman Bishop acquiesced, meant a profound falsification of the Gospel message and the injection of standards alien to it. (De Rosa, pp. 35,36,43,44)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A committed sun god\/Mithras devotee came up with the orthodox view of the Godhead. See also Do You Practice Mithraism?<\/a><\/p>\n

A Possible Judeo-Christian Report of Constantine\u2019s Council of Nicea<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 10th<\/sup>-11th<\/sup> century Islamic Arab document professes to have a Judeo-Christian perspective of the Council of Nicea. Here is some of what Shlomo Pines summarized from that Arabic report of that Council and one that preceded it:<\/p>\n

Constantine called a gathering of Christian monks with a view to the formulation of obligatory religious beliefs\u2026However, some of them disagreed with this text\u2026There was a scission and the symbol of faith which had been formulated was not regarded as valid.<\/p>\n

Thereupon, three hundred and eighteen men gathered in Nicaea and formulated a symbol of faith, which was accepted and made obligatory by Constantine. People who dissented from it were killed and professions of faith differing from it suppressed.<\/p>\n

In this way people who professed the religion of Christ came to do all that is reprehensible; they worshipped the cross, observed the Roman religious rites and ate pork.\u00a0 Those who did not eat it were killed. (Pines, pp. 32,43)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, according to an Islamic reporter, there were Christians who were upset by the changes that Emperor Constantine enforced, such as crosses and Roman religious rites. Furthermore, the same reporter stated that the \u201cJewish Christians\u201d denounced the use of incense in Christian churches as \u201can adaptation of a Pagan custom\u201d and that they had to become a clandestine group.<\/p>\n

Under Constantine and his Nicean Council Mainstream \u201cChristianity,\u201d \u201cConstantinian Christianity,\u201d Emerged<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few years after the Council of Nicea, Emperor Constantine took bold persecuting action against those that would not accept his preferred religion which was a combination of pagan and sun-worshiping practices with the name Christianity.<\/p>\n

To enforce persecution against Christians who did not accept Constantine\u2019s doctrines, around 332 A.D. Constantine issued what is known as the Edict Against the Heretics<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Victor Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to the heretics. \u201cUnderstand now, by this present statute, ye Novatians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Paulians, ye who are called Cataphrygians, and all ye who devise and support heresies by means of your private assemblies, with what a tissue of falsehood and vanity, with what destructive and venomous errors, your doctrines are inseparably interwoven; so that through you the healthy soul is stricken with disease, and the living becomes the prey of everlasting death. Ye haters and enemies of truth and life, in league with destruction! All your counsels are opposed to the truth, but familiar with deeds of baseness; full of absurdities and fictions: and by these ye frame falsehoods, oppress the innocent, and withhold the light from them that believe. Ever trespassing under the mask of godliness, ye fill all things with defilement: ye pierce the pure and guileless conscience with deadly wounds, while ye withdraw, one may almost say, the very light of day from the eyes of men. But why should I particularize, when to speak of your criminality as it deserves demands more time and leisure than I can give? For so long and unmeasured is the catalogue of your offenses, so hateful and altogether atrocious are they, that a single day would not suffice to recount them all. And, indeed, it is well to turn one\u2019s ears and eyes from such a subject, lest by a description of each particular evil, the pure sincerity and freshness of one\u2019s own faith be impaired. Why then do I still bear with such abounding evil; especially since this protracted clemency is the cause that some who were sound are become tainted with this pestilent disease? Why not at once strike, as it were, at the root of so great a mischief by a public manifestation of displeasure?<\/p>\n

\u201cFORASMUCH, then, as it is no longer possible to bear with your pernicious errors, we give warning by this present statute that none of you henceforth presume to assemble yourselves together. (1) We have directed, accordingly, that you be deprived of all the houses in which you are accustomed to hold your assemblies: and our care in this respect extends so far as to forbid the holding of your superstitious and senseless meetings, not in public merely, but in any private house or place whatsoever<\/strong>. Let those of you, therefore, who are desirous of embracing the true and pure religion, take the far better course of entering the catholic Church, and uniting with it in holy fellowship, whereby you will be enabled to arrive at the knowledge of the truth. In any case, the delusions of your perverted understandings must entirely cease to mingle with and mar the felicity of our present times: I mean the impious and wretched double-mindedness of heretics and schismatics. For it is an object worthy of that prosperity which we enjoy through the favor of God, to endeavor to bring back those who in time past were living in the hope of future blessing, from all irregularity and error to the right path, from darkness to light, from vanity to truth, from death to salvation. And in order that this remedy may be applied with effectual power, we have commanded, as before said, that you be positively deprived of every gathering point for your superstitious meetings, I mean all the houses of prayer, if such be worthy of the name, which belong to heretics, and that these be made over without delay to the catholic Church; that any other places be confiscated to the public service, and no facility whatever be left for any future gathering; in order that from this day forward none of your unlawful assemblies may presume to appear in any public or private place. Let this edict be made public.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Some of those referred to as Paulians (Paulicians) and Cataphrygians were part of the original Church of God, thus they were not the heretics. Just because the Emperor had military might, does not make his declarations right (cf. Revelation 13:4-9; 17:1-6).\u00a0 See also the article Persecutions by Church and State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regarding this early time period, the theological historian Bart Ehrman noted:<\/p>\n

By the early fourth century, Christianity had almost completely separated from Judaism, the religion of Jesus and his apostles…By early fourth century, non-Jewish Christianity had become a major world religion. (Ehrman B. From Jesus to Constantine: A History of Early Christianity, Part 2. The Teaching Company, Chantilly (VA), 2004, p. 47)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The church councils, first started by Emperor Constantine, really ended up with a new religion, which could be called \u201cConstantinian Christianity.\u201d Constantinian Christianity included elements of Greco-Roman compromises, a church-state alliance, and pagan elements synchronized to become the religion of the State.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it should be mentioned, that according to Eastern Orthodox Catholic sources, at the time of the Council of Nicea in 325, \u201cThere is no mention of the bishop of Constantinople due to the fact that this \u201csee\u201d was as yet an insignificant little town\u201d (Patsovas L. The Primacy of the See of Constantinople in Theory and Practice.\u00a0 \u00a9 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, http:\/\/www.goarch.org\/ourfaith\/primacy-constantinople viewed 02\/09\/10<\/sup>).\u00a0 But many of the Orthodox and others will overlook that.<\/p>\n

Now, what will be the result of the planned 2025 Council of Nicea?<\/p>\n

As far as can be determined, both Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew hope that greater ecumenical unity will occur between their respective organizations.<\/p>\n

According to an Eastern Orthodox prophet the final (the Orthodox\u00a0recognize seven previous ones) ecumenical synod council satisfies what \u201cheretics\u201d want:<\/p>\n

Saint Neilos the Myrrh-Gusher<\/em> (died 1592): During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics \u2026(Tzima Otto, p. 111).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

By satisfying \u201cheretics\u201d, clearly this council compromises and changes the religion, which will be called \u201cCatholic.\u201d\u00a0 If heretics are truly heretics, should their complaints be satisfied?<\/p>\n

Will that happen in the 2025 meetings?\u00a0 It very well may–though perhaps only some parts will be updated related to unity. The Orthodox Catholics had called for an eighth ecumenical council in 2016, which could be this (see Orthodox agree to eighth ecumenical council: If Orthodox prophecy is correct on it, this council marks a major step towards the end!<\/a>). But if not, it may be in 2025 some type of council will result in the type of ecumenical unity that the Vatican and Constantinople want.<\/p>\n

The result of the original Council of Nicea were terrible and there is no reason to believe that a possible meeting there in 2025 will result in true good. Let me add that the World Council of Churches has also been preparing for this 1700th anniversary of Nicea.<\/p>\n

The Bible teaches that the only true unity of the faith will happen AFTER the false ecumenical movement is eliminated which happens with the return of Jesus Christ (e.g. Zechariah 2:6-11).<\/p>\n

What certain religious leaders are trying to do is not the will of God. But likely will result in the fulfillment of certain biblical prophecies.<\/p>\n

\n

Some items of related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

What Was the Original Apostles’ Creed? What is the Nicene Creed?<\/a> Did the original apostles write a creed? When was the first creed written? Are the creeds commonly used by the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholics original? Here is a link to a related video: The Original Apostles’ Creed?<\/a>
\nWhy Should American Roman Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?<\/a> Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement? <\/a>
\nOrthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics<\/a> Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
\nWill the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?<\/a> Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III?<\/a> and three video sermonette are also available:\u00a0 Pope Francis signs \u2018one world religion\u2019 document!<\/a> and\u00a0The Chrislam Cross and the Interfaith Movement<\/a> and Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?<\/a>
\nFreemasonry and the Destruction of Rome?<\/a> What is Freemasonry? What about ties to the Illuminati? Could Freemasons be involved in the fulfillment of prophecy? Here is a link to a related sermon: Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome<\/a>.
\nSome Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are? Here is a link to a related sermon: Eastern Orthodox 40+ Similar Beliefs to the CCOG<\/a>.
\nBeliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?<\/a> Did the original \u201ccatholic church\u201d have doctrines held by the Continuing<\/em> Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term \u201ccatholic church\u201d to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?<\/a>, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover<\/a>, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?<\/a>, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy<\/a>, Early Heresies and Heretics<\/a>, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats<\/a>, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more<\/a>, Saturday or Sunday?<\/a>, The Godhead<\/a>, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession<\/a>, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List<\/a>, Holy Mother Church and Heresies<\/a>, and\u00a0Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs<\/a>. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language:\u00a0Creencias de la iglesia Cat\u00f3lica original<\/a>.
\nThe Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies<\/a><\/span> Is the \u2018Great Monarch\u2019 of Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ?<\/a><\/span> and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies<\/a>.
\nBeware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!<\/a> What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their \u2018mother church\u2019 in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan<\/a>.
\nHope of Salvation: How the Continuing<\/em> Church of God Differs from Protestantism<\/a> The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real <\/em>Church of God differs from mainstream\/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History<\/a>; The First Protestant, God\u2019s Command, Grace, & Character<\/a>; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon<\/a>; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter<\/a>; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism<\/a>; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday<\/a>; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God\u2019s Plan<\/a>; Seventh Day Baptists\/Adventists\/Messianics: Protestant or COG?<\/a>; Millennial Kingdom of God and God\u2019s Plan of Salvation<\/a>; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats<\/a>; The Godhead and the Trinity<\/a>; Fleeing or Rapture?<\/a>; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences<\/a>.
\nWill the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?<\/a> Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III?<\/a> and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?<\/a>
\nDid Early Christians Celebrate Easter?<\/a> If not, when did this happen? Where did Easter come from? Is Easter supposed to be Passover? What do scholars and the Bible reveal? Here is a link to a related video: Amazing Facts About Easter<\/a>.
\nPassover and the Early Church<\/a> Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins? There is also a detailed YouTube video available titled History of the Christian Passover<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Augustinian Patristic\u00a0Pontifical Institute) COGwriter The Church of Rome has been preparing for a major meeting related to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea that was convened by the sun-god worshipping Emperor Constantine in 325 A.D.: The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 was a decisive moment in the definition of Christian belief, discipline […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93485"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94028,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93485\/revisions\/94028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}