Erbil, Kurdistan Region — The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) had the distinct honor of hosting the conference commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, held from September 27 to 29, 2025. The event brought together an extraordinary gathering of religious and governmental leaders, symbolizing unity, reflection, and dialogue among Christian traditions in Iraq and the wider region.

The conference was attended by His Excellency Mr. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government; His Holiness Mar Awa III, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East; His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church; and His Excellency Archbishop Mar Bashar Matti Warda, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University in Erbil.

They were joined by bishops, priests, government officials, scholars, and community representatives, making the event one of the most significant inter-church gatherings hosted in the Kurdistan Region in recent years.

Commemorating 1700 Years of Faith and Unity

The Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD, was a defining moment in Christian history — a gathering that brought together church leaders to affirm unity in faith and doctrine. Seventeen centuries later, this commemoration in Erbil reflected the enduring legacy of that historic council and the ongoing commitment of churches in Iraq and the region to preserve unity, promote understanding, and witness to faith in the modern world.

By hosting this event, the Catholic University in Erbil reaffirmed its role as a place of dialogue, coexistence, and education, and as a bridge between faith, culture, and knowledge.

CUE: A Home for Dialogue and Shared Heritage

Throughout the three-day conference, participants reflected on the spiritual and historical significance of the Council of Nicaea, emphasizing themes of faith, reconciliation, and the common good.

The presence of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and senior church leaders demonstrated the Kurdistan Region’s ongoing support for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence, values that CUE continues to promote through education and community engagement.

As the event concluded, participants expressed appreciation to the Catholic University in Erbil for its hospitality and organization, recognizing its growing role as a center for cultural, educational, and interreligious dialogue in Iraq and the Middle East.

Several participants also visited the Catholic University in Erbil campus to learn more about its academic programs and services, and to explore potential avenues of collaboration, particularly in relation to the Department of Oriental Studies.

Through this commemoration of a defining moment in Christian history, the Catholic University in Erbil once again affirmed its mission: to serve as a beacon of knowledge, faith, and coexistence — fostering unity through education and shared values.