1,700 Year-Old Mystery
- Tongues Fire
- Dec 4, 2025
- 1 min read
200 words: Ruins Revealing the Living Christ
Archaeologists tell us that an ancient basilica, which hosted the Council of Nicea (325), was discovered in 2014 (Wall Street Journal). Nicea is now called Iznik (Turkey).
Lake Iznik receded due to drought. The remains of the Church became visible.
Pope Leo XIV visited the basilica November 2025.
St. Neophytos was martyred by Roman soldiers on the shore of the lake in A.D. 303:
A decade later, the Edict of Milan decriminalised Christianity. Christians soon built a shrine over his grave and other Christians were buried next to him.
It was here that the Council of Nicea was first convened, moving to an imperial palace due to lack of space.
What did Pope Leo say?
He reminded us that the reason for the gathering of Bishops was to reaffirm the truth of Jesus of Nazareth:
He warned against a tendency he described as a ‘new Arianism,’ where Jesus is admired as a historical figure, but not recognised as the living Son of God.
Unfortunately, Jesus is often referred to in Catholic Schools and Catechetical gatherings as a model, a teacher, someone to be admired.
But no.
He is truly human and truly divine:
Alive and active.
Amen.
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