Archaeologists Report Possible Discovery of First Council of Nicaea Church Site

Archaeologists announced in July 2026 that they may have located the site where the First Council of Nicaea convened in 325 AD, one of the most significant gatherings in Christian history.

The council, called by Emperor Constantine, brought together bishops from across the Roman Empire to settle disputes about the nature of Christ and produce a unified statement of Christian belief. The resulting Nicene Creed is still recited in Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant churches worldwide.

The potential site is in the ancient city of Nicaea, located in what is now Iznik, Turkey. Researchers have been conducting excavations in the region and identified structural remains and artifacts consistent with a large gathering space from the fourth century.

Catholic Culture reported the announcement on July 30, 2026, citing ongoing archaeological work. Researchers said they are continuing excavations to confirm the identification and gather more evidence before making a definitive claim.

The First Council of Nicaea is considered the first ecumenical council of the Christian church. It addressed the Arian controversy, which centered on whether Christ was of the same substance as God the Father or a created being. The council affirmed the full divinity of Christ and condemned Arianism as heresy.

If confirmed, the discovery would be a significant find for historians of early Christianity and for the millions of Christians who trace their theological heritage to the council's decisions.