Christian life is an affirmation of this reality
One of the standout aspects – rarely brought to light – is about the participants of this Council of Nicea.
Many of the participants – of the approximately 318 Council participants – had lost an eye or lost a hand or limped on a leg…
… as a result of the torture they suffered for their Christian faith!
These bishops who met at Nicea had just come out of an extremely challenging time of intense persecution by the Romans…
… having lived through the cruelty of the Emperors Diocletian (ruling 284-305) and Maximian (ruling 286-305)
According to one ancient writer Theodoret (393-457), “the Council looked like an assembled army of martyrs!”
The Nicean Council was thus, not merely just a gathering of intellectuals – discussing and deliberating; rather, it was a holy coming together of passionate individuals…
… who lived the Faith
… who suffered for the Faith
… and who wished everyone in the future, grows and lives the Faith, with utmost faithfulness!
These ancient people travelled to Nicea with broken bodies to formulate what was worth living and dying for!
This is the reality of Christianity
Every follower of Christ is reminded to joyfully accept a life of struggle and suffering, in order to discover the true joys of Faith!
Every joy in life is accompanied by the companionship of some pain and suffering.
This is the reality of life.
Christian life is an affirmation of this reality.