The City of Nicea and the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed

Jun 14

“I and the Father are one” John 10:30

This May - July is the 1700th anniversary of the first council of Nicea and of the Nicene creed. A foundational statement of Christian belief that is still a unifying explanation of faith for all Christian denominations today. On June 14, 325 AD , the council affirmed that Jesus Christ Son of God is of the same essence as God the Father and rejected Arianism. The council was convened by emperor Constantine, who likely understood the political advantages of a united Christianity. Constantine’s new capital of Constantinople (Istanbul) was incomplete, and so the council was ultimately held in the city of Nicea which is Iznik Türkiye today.

We had the thrill of visiting Iznik in May. The city is still surrounded by the ruins of the Roman walls and towers with many openings for modern roads. One is able to scramble all around and through the double walls and explore the city Gates. The Istanbul gate in the north is a triple arch / triple gate structure that has been excavated down to the level of the original Roman Road in places. The east or Lefke gate is also a beautiful triple gated structure. Just outside the gate are the remains of an elevated aqueduct.

The exact location within the city of the first council of Nicea isn’t known, but there are foundations of a basilica now covered by the water of lake Iznik at the western edge of the city that is a strong possibility. The basilica dates to the early fourth century. There is a beautiful new museum in Iznik that contains findings from the underwater basilica.

In the center of town is the Aya Sophia, which is now a mosque and which we know was the site of the second council of Nicea in 787 AD. The church has been rebuilt numerous times over the centuries. It still has some sections of Roman opus sectile flooring, Christian frescoes and a synthronon in the apse.

There is a Roman theater at the south end of town that was fun to explore. A new visitor center is being constructed on the shore of the lake with a dock that will allow close viewing of the underwater basilica.

So many things to explore in this little city!We had a wonderful time during the half day we spent here. Also of note; since Ottoman times Iznik has been famous for its ceramic tile work. Iznik tiles are prominent in the Blue Mosque and Topkopi Palace of Istanbul.

The roman north gate of the city of Nicea (Iznik Türkiye)

The north gate is actually a triple gate and the middle gate is a triple arch

The gate area has been excavated down to the level of the roman road

Two theater mask column decorations from the theater at Nicea

walking between the double walls of the city

This business is located at the old walls - the gentleman shaves and dries wood for cotton candy stick and ships all over the world!!

The Aya Sophia of Nicea. The church has been rebuilt many times and is now a mosque. It was the site of the 2nd council of Nicea in 787 AD. It now sits below the level of the modern road.

The east city gate - Lefke gate

remains of an aqueduct outside the east gate

The apse and synthronon

Lefke gate and roman road

faded Christianfrescos

This fresco looks to be a deisis scene - Christ flanked by Mary and John the Baptist

Exterior to the building are remains of older iterations - including areas of mosaic flooring still paritally intact

Remains of one of over 25 early byzantine era churches in NIcea - the Koimeses Church

Walking down to the are that was likely the baptistery of the Koimeses Church

Bapitstery

Iznik Museum: the ambon (lectern from choir loft) of the Koimeses Church

View of the foundations of an early 4th century bsasilica now in the waters of Lake Iznik. Possible site of the 1st council of Nicea 325 AD

Iznik Museum: pilgrim's stamp of token found in the underwater excavations of the basilica. Dates to 5th of 6th c AD

Underwater basilica

Iznik Museum: re creation of a hypogeum Christian tomb 5th century AD - located in the countryside near Iznik

We went looking for the hypogeum tomb near Iznik

The tomb is now covered with a shed

We got into the shed, but then entrance to the tomb is now covered with a windowless steel door. You can see some fresco painting on an original pillar next to the tomb