Nicea 1,700: Global leaders gather
Joel Morris
Istanbul, Turkey – Over four days, 22–25 October, more than 470 Christian leaders from around the world convened in Istanbul to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian faith established in 325AD.
The conference, held in a Muslim-majority country, was notable not only for its historical significance to the church but also for its diverse international participation. Attendees included speakers and teachers from Egypt, Dubai, Kenya, Italy, Russia, India, USA and the UK, offering rich teaching and reflections on the enduring relevance of the Creed.
Turkey: Churches and hostility both grow
Luke Randall
Christianity is growing steadily in Turkey, but challenges remain amidst increasing hostility, with reports claiming that foreign Christians are being denied entry into the country.
Christianity has grown exponentially in the west-Asian country, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s (CSW) Research and Advocacy Officer for the Middle East and North Africa, who told en that a total of about 100 Christians in the 1980s has grown into about 100 congregations today. However, religious minorities find themselves “increasingly vulnerable to hate speech, discrimination and intolerance”.