Udupi Ecumenical Meet Commemorates 1700 Years of Nicene Creed, Reaffirming Christian Unity

Udupi Ecumenical Meet Commemorates 1700 Years of Nicene Creed, Reaffirming Christian Unity

Udupi: The Christian community of Udupi gathered at the UBM Memorial Hall on Thursday, March 19, to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief and a symbol of unity within the faith.

The ecumenical event was a joint effort by the UBM Church, Udupi, the Ecumenical Commission of the Diocese of Udupi, and the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights.

In his address, the Apostolic Administrator of the Udupi Diocese, Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, emphasized the Nicene Creed’s central role in Christian faith. He stated that the shared recitation of the Creed, irrespective of denominational affiliation, fosters and strengthens unity among Christians.

Rev. Dr. Lobo further highlighted the Church’s consistent emphasis on Christian unity, referencing the Second Vatican Council’s declaration that the restoration of unity among all Christians is a primary concern. He asserted that genuine unity originates from spiritual conversion and is realized through humility, mutual forgiveness, and communal prayer. He also noted the Udupi region’s Christian communities as an exemplar of harmonious coexistence and shared worship, demonstrating unity amidst diversity.

Rt. Rev. Hemachandra Kumar, Bishop of the Church of South India, Karnataka Southern Diocese, affirmed the Nicene Creed as a robust foundation of Christian faith. He noted its enduring relevance, continuing to inspire Christians towards unified living even after 1700 years. He cited scriptural references to the strengthening of the Christian Church and emphasized the daily recitation of the Creed in congregations as a means of reinforcing unity among believers.

Rev. Fr. Rovel Shubadeep D’Souza, Director of Divine Spring Retreat Centre, Goa, and Rev. Dr. H. M. Watson, Principal of Karnataka Theological College, Balmatta, Mangaluru, delivered scholarly presentations on the historical context and spiritual significance of the Nicene Creed.

The program included a faith hymn presentation by Rev. Santosh, Sr. Priya, and their team.
The event was attended by a diverse assembly of clergy, pastors, religious sisters, and faithful from Roman Catholic, Orthodox, CSI, and UBM Churches, including Rev. Leo Praveen, Rev. Praveen Maben, Rev. Noel Lewis, and Prashanth Jathanna.

Rev. Santosh delivered the welcome address, Ebenezer Christopher Karkada proposed the vote of thanks, Rev. Vijay Harwin led the prayer, and Rev. Denis D’Souza compered the programme.