Diocese of Melbourne: Celebration of the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council
On Sunday, 1st June 2025, the Holy Diocese of Melbourne marked the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea with both liturgical solemnity and cultural expression.
The day began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Saints Anargiri in Oakleigh, where His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne presided, prayerfully commemorating the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council during Matins and the Divine Liturgy. During the service, His Grace read aloud the Patriarchal Encyclical of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, which reflected on the enduring significance of the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.—a gathering that affirmed the divinity of Christ and gave the Church the Nicene Creed, a cornerstone of Orthodox faith.
That evening, the Diocese hosted a cultural celebration at the Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene in Bentleigh. Titled “Echoes of Asia Minor”, the concert featured the Melisma Ensemble, a renowned Sydney-based music group specialising in Byzantine chant and traditional music from Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
With over 400 people in attendance, the performance offered a moving journey through sacred and folk traditions, highlighting the spiritual depth and cultural richness of the Orthodox world. His Grace Bishop Kyriakos conveyed the paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and spoke on the vital role of sacred music and memory in preserving the identity and faith of Orthodox Christians. In his address, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos offered the following reflection: “Sacred music is not merely an artistic expression—it is a form of prayer, a living theology that carries the soul toward God. Through the ancient hymns of our Church and the melodies passed down through generations, we preserve the Orthodox faith in both heart and mind. It is through this sacred tradition that we remain connected to the saints, the Fathers, and the enduring truth of Christ…The 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea is a momentous occasion for the global Christian community, commemorating a pivotal event that defined the foundations of Christian doctrine. This historic council in 325 AD affirmed the divinity of Christ and established the Nicene Creed, a symbol of unity for all Christians.”
The day’s commemorations beautifully united the theological, liturgical, and cultural dimensions of Orthodox Christian life. As the faithful reflected on the legacy of the First Ecumenical Council—its bold defence of Christ’s divinity and the enduring gift of the Nicene Creed—they also celebrated the living tradition of the Church, carried forward through sacred worship, music, and the unity of the body of Christ.
