It is a traveling exhibition, and it will go to Turkey, where Pope Leo is expected to see it.
It explains why the Council of Nicaea was so important. It clarified that Jesus is not just a mere man, but God as well.
But from its teachings came other key concepts for the faith. For example: the nature of God — that He is a Father, but not paternalistic; nor is He envious like Saturn, who in this painting by Goya devours one of his sons out of fear of being dethroned.
ILARIA VIGORELLI
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
The great theme discussed at Nicaea was precisely that: moving away from the image of God as a superior and despotic being.
Instead, Christianity introduces a completely different idea of divinity, in which the Father places Himself at the service of the Son and gives Himself to Him.
That is why, in the Christian faith, parables such as that of the prodigal son gained such strength. A new concept of relationship was introduced, one without dominators.
Nicaea did not clearly define many concepts of the faith, but it was an important starting point, and it was one of the last councils before major divisions arose within the Church.
This exhibition seeks to rediscover its importance. It was presented at the Meeting of Rimini, in Italy, where Patriarch Bartholomew himself was able to see it.
JRB
Trans. CRT
