Today, Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Anglican Episcopal Church, along with Rev. Yeshua Bakhit, General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Egypt, participated in the celebration marking 17 centuries since the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325–2025). The event commemorated the influence of Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, the hero of the Nicaea Council, and took place at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasiya.
The Archbishop expressed the deep gratitude of the Episcopal Church to the Coptic Orthodox Church, emphasizing that the steadfast defense of the divinity of Christ by the Coptic Church represents one of the greatest gifts to the universal Church. He noted that this partnership and friendship are not merely a moral duty but a theological necessity rooted in the truth of who Christ is. He extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II for his generous hospitality during the celebration.
The Archbishop also reaffirmed the Episcopal Church’s commitment to ecumenical dialogue and the promotion of unity among different churches. His participation highlights the active role of the Episcopal Church in supporting efforts to enhance understanding and cooperation among Christian denominations. He prayed that this occasion would serve as an impetus to deepen ecumenical dialogue and promote service to humanity everywhere.
It is worth noting that the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea played a pivotal role in defining Christian doctrine, issuing the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the divinity of Christ and His equality with the Father. This commemoration provides an opportunity to renew commitment to the principles established at that historic council.