The organizers of this scientific conference, which brought together theological experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia, were the Faculty of Theology of the University of Sarajevo and the Orthodox Faculty of Theology (PBF) in Foča – University of East Sarajevo.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Grand Chancellor of the KBF, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, Metropolitan of Dabrobosna, Mr. Hrizostom, Dean of the KBF, Dr. Rev. Mario Bernadić, Protopresbyter Stavrophorus and Vice-Dean for Science of the PBF in Foča, Dr. Vladislav Topalović, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, Chargé d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Javier Camañes-Forés, and priests, nuns, theologians, students and other visitors.

The moderator was the professor of dogmatic theology at the Faculty of Theology, Rev. Ljubo Zadrić, who presented the two-day program, emphasizing that it "offers the opportunity to listen, reflect and discuss, both about lived and defined faith".

Then Archbishop Vukšić and Metropolitan Hrizostom signed a Joint Statement on the occasion of the 1 700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.

Welcome speeches on unity

Dean Bernardić then thanked the local pastors of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches for making it possible for the two theological faculties to jointly commemorate the 1 700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicea. He recalled that it all started with a similar symposium held in Foča from Jume 10^th to 12^th, and stressed that there had been a lack of similar events in recent years.

In his address, Metropolitan Chrysostom highlighted serious concerns about the denial of the divine identity of Jesus Christ as the Logos and Messiah throughout Europe, a problem that, as he said, must concern all Christians. With this in mind, he proposed to the Archbishop that they jointly organize scientific conferences in order to draw attention from BiH to the historical problems of Arianism and its consequences throughout the centuries, such as the Cathars in France or the Bogomils in the Balkans. He emphasized that the conference should be an offer to develop the widest possible theological dialogue on common church teachings. Finally, he pointed out the great importance of not stopping with such meetings and discussions, but continuing to exchange opinions, not only about what is common, but also about what divides Christians.

Archbishop Tomo expressed his joy at the joint organization of the two scientific conferences, which he called a very beautiful example of mutual openness and cooperation. He recalled that the Council of Nicaea had the task of preserving unity that was threatened by the denial of the divinity of Christ, and therefore it is a permanent call to all Churches to continue walking on the path of visible unity. He particularly emphasized the date of Easter 2025, which all Christians celebrated on the same day, which Archbishop Vukšić sees as a decisive incentive for the East and the West to reach an agreement on a common date for Easter. He also referred to the late Pope Francis, who called the Council of Nicaea a "compass" that must guide Christians towards full, visible unity.

Three lectures followed and the closing of the first day of the symposium: Dr. Rev. Milenko Krešić (KBF Sarajevo) spoke on the topic Emperor Constantine: The Arius Controversy and the Council of Nicaea Before, During and After, Dr. Rev. Hrvoje Kalem (KBF Sarajevo) spoke on The Development of Dogma in the Light of the Council of Nicaea, and Dr. Anto Barišić (KBF Zagreb) presented the topic The Penetration of Philosophical Concepts into the Language of Faith.

The Second Day of the Symposium

The next day, November 6^th, the first lecture entitled The Council of Nicaea and the Concept of Homoousios: The Beginning of Division and a Model of Unity among Christians was given by Dr. Rev. Josip Knežević (KBF Sarajevo). This was followed by a presentation by Mihajlo Orović (PBF Belgrade) entitled Conciliarity and Primacy from an Orthodox Perspective: The Council of Nicaea as a Model for Ecumenical Cooperation, and Archpriest-Staurophor Dr. Nenad Tupeša (PBF I. Sarajevo) explained to the attendees the topic The Liturgical Living of the Paschal Mystery.

After a short discussion and the opportunity to ask questions to the lecturers of the academic break, two more lectures followed: The Lasting Significance of the Council of Nicaea for Kerygm and Theology by Dr. Edvard Punda (KBF Split) and The Canons of the Council of Nicaea: Their Significance on the Later Legislation of the Latin Church by Dr. Zdenko Ilić (Josip Juraj Strossmayer University Osijek).

The symposium ended with a plenary discussion, and it is expected that the extended presentations, as well as those parts of the lectures that were not delivered due to time constraints, will be published in academic journals for the wider reading public.