Professor Lewis Ayres, Professor of Catholic & Historical Theology in the Department of Theology & Religion at Durham University, and a Professore Incaricato in the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (the ‘Angelicum’) in Rome, led an ecumenical study day sponsored jointly by St Ninian’s Episcopal Cathedral, Perth, and the Scottish Episcopal Institute.
‘Nicaea at 1700’ looked back to the Council of Nicaea and its Creed, which date to AD 325. Prof Ayres, who has published widely and spoken internationally on the legacy of Nicaea, presented in two parts: ‘Nicaea as the rule of faith’ and ‘Nicaea’s hidden depths’. He explored the importance of looking to Holy Scriptures for narratives that highlight the paschal mystery. Likewise, he emphasised the value of reading the Church’s earliest creeds, including the Nicene Creed, as confessions of faith borne from the Scriptures. Prof Ayres offered clear links among the origins of creeds, the faith of the Church, and why we use creeds in our worship and liturgy.
The day saw a lively interaction of questions and insights from SEI’s students who are currently engaged in the study of Creeds & Councils in their academic portfolio and profited greatly from the ambiance of Perth Cathedral and the value of Episcopal Cathedrals centres of theological study rooted in faith and worship. The day concluded with Plainchant Evensong with the Very Rev Dr Stephen Mark Holmes, Provost of Perth Cathedral, Perth, presiding, and the SEI students singing beautifully. (Photo above, from left to right, Prof Hull, Dr Holmes and Prof Ayres.)
