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2025.12.20
During Early Morning Prayer (EMP) Pastor James asked for reflection on the year of 2025.
In 2025, specifically, I’m grateful for the 1700 years since the Counsel of Nicaea and the opportunity to look it more deeply.
———————
Year 2025 on the Gregorian Calendar, was the 1700 year celebration of the “Nicene Creed.”
For those new to the Christian Faith, here an excellent answer to the question “What the Nicene Creed” from [gotquestions.org](https://www.gotquestions.org/Nicene-creed.html). See Appendix 1.
There are five well known historical records of the event known as the “Council of Nicaea”, captured by five different author-historians.
1. Eusebius of Caesarea
2. Socrates Scholasticus
3. Salaminius Hermias Sozomenus (Sozomen)
4. Theodoret
5. Athanasius
Each historian includes possible Six Total Sections on their records concerning the event known as the “Council of Nicaea”. They are as follows.
1. Impetus to Council
2. Calling the Council
3. Council of Nicaea: Attendees and Aims
4. Council Deliberations
5. Consequum Nicaea (Consequences)
6. Nicene Statement of Faith: Closing Words
Researcher C.G. Bateman in 2018, has written and released an excellent artifact titled “Nicene Parallels: Five Historical Records of the Council of Nicaea in Parallel”, capturing the event for ease of comparison of each historians take on the event. See Appendix 2.
The purpose of the gathering, historian Theodoret writes
> “labouring to bring about their unanimity in the apostolical doctrines.”
- Unanimity is defined as “agreement by all people involved; consensus.”
- Doctrine is defined as “a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.”
In essence, Council of Nicaea is an effort by the born again believers to bring about unity, clarity and alignment back to the word of God, on “doctrines” starting with the those claiming to be “Christian”.
Decreed output of a statement of faith known as the “Nicean Creed” , is the same day observance of Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is unanimously agreed upon by all the participant, from all regions and from all the churches.
Eusebius of Caesarea writes
> “Thereupon, since a controversy had broken out on the subject of the most holy Day of Easter,it was unanimously decided that it would be best for everyone everywhere to celebrate it on the same day. For what could be better for us, and more reverent, than that this festival, from which we have acquired out hope of immortality, should be observed invariably in every community on one system and declared principle? ... by unanimous verdict it was determined that the most holy feast of Easter should be celebrated on one and the same day, since it is both improper that there should be a division about a matter of such great sanctity and best to follow that option, in which there is no admixture of alien error and sin.
> ”
Socrates Scholasticus add insights on the believers unity between the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox church on this matter of celebrating Easter on the same day, when he writes
> ”We have also gratifying intelligence to communicate to you relative to unity of judgment on the subject of the most holy feast of Easter: for this point also has been happily settled through your prayers; so that all the brethren in the East who have heretofore kept this festival when the Jews did, will henceforth conform to the Romans and to us, and to all who from the earliest time have observed our period of celebrating Easter. “
Not only was there an agreement between the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church, Socrates S. captures the extent of the participants, regions and cities represented who also would have agreed “unanimously” when he writes,
> “Wherefore, the most eminent of the ministers of God in all the churches which have filled Europe, Africa, and Asia, were convened. ...Syrians and Cilicians, Phoenicians, Arabs and Palestinians, and in addition to these, Egyptians, Thebans, Libyans, and those who came from Mesopotamia. At this synod a Persian bishop was also present, neither was the Scythian absent from this assemblage. Pontus also and Galatia, Pamphylia, Cappadocia, Asia and Phrygia, supplied those who were most distinguished among them. Besides, there met there Thracians and Macedonians, Achaians and Epirots, and even those who dwelt still further away than these, and the most celebrated of the Spaniards himself took his seat among the rest.”
Reflecting back, there are 2 things from the Counsel of Nicaea that moves me.
First, I am astounded by the unity of the born again believers fight for “doctrine” which comes from scriptures. I’m shocked and moved to tears, when I read of the price paid by these saints, to stay faithful to our Lord and to His Words. Theodoret writes concerning the participants
> “..like the holy apostle, bore in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. James, bishop of Antioch, ... it would be superfluous to mention again in detail in this history, as I have already given an account of them in my work , entitled "Philotheus". Paul, bishop of Neo-Cæsarea, ... had suffered from the frantic rage of Licinius. He had been deprived of the use of both hands by the application of a red-hot iron, by which the nerves which give motion to the muscles had been contracted and rendered dead. Some had had the right eye dug out, others had lost the right arm. Among these was Paphnutius of Egypt. In short, the Council looked like an assembled army of martyrs”
Second, while the “theory for unity of faith” in the statement of faith is succinctly captured in the “Nicene Creed”, it is the “practice of unity of faith” in the celebration of Easter, all on the same day that is utterly fascinating.
Better Calendar to Identify Easter and to Unite the Churches
In accordance with the intent with the “practice of unity of faith”, i.e. the celebration of Easter on the same day as recommended from the Council of Nicaea, it begs the question, when should Christians celebrate Easter?
Living in the 21st century in USA, we currently live under the rules of the “Gregorian Calendar” (GC) system. To calculate Gregorian Easter,
> “find the first Sunday after the "Paschal Full Moon," which is a mathematically determined full moon on or after March 21 (the Church's equinox); if the full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter is the next Sunday, with dates falling between March 22 and April 25, using specific Church tables (like the Metonic cycle) that approximate lunar cycles, distinct from actual astronomical events”
In the 21st century, determining the day of Easter under Gregorian Calendar (GC) is clear as mud and several PhD’s in Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy and Church History appears needed.
Makes me wonder,
> “Is this what God intended for his children to be able to practice the yearly celebration of Easter - the resurrection of Jesus Christ?”
Looking back at the Counsel of Nicaea at AD 325, they would have been under the Julian Calendar (JC) system. According to the JC, Easter aligns to the “vernal equinox”, i.e. spring where there is equal 12 hours of day and night. In AD 325, that would have been March 21.
Looking at American history, US colonies celebrated the New Year on March 25, also around the “vernal equinox”. [ Note: Great Britain and its colonies, including the future United States, did not officially adopt January 1st as New Year's Day until 1752, before which they often celebrated the New Year on March 25th which was a rough at then alignment to the Spring Equinox.]
It seems, historically ...
- Easter was celebrated in March during the Spring Season.
- Easter marked the start of a New Year.
- Easter is linked to the solar calendar event known as the vernal equinox, i.e. day in spring where there is equal 12 hour day and 12 hour night.
Given these, makes me wonder,
> “Is there a Calendar System where the source of inspiration is Scripture and associated writings?”
# Introducing [Good Governance Calendar (GGC) system](https://git.1.goodg.org/admin/gg/wiki/Good-Governance-Calendar-%28GGC%29)
https://git.1.goodg.org/admin/gg/wiki/Good-Governance-Calendar-%28GGC%29
GGC is ...
- 1 Year Solar Calendar
- Spring Equinox equals Start of New Year
- 364+ Days in Year
- 13 Months in Year
- 28 Days per Month
- Seasons are 13 Weeks Each
- o Spring = Spring Equinox, ALWAYS Starts New Year
- o Summer = ~ Summer Solstice
- o Fall = ~ Fall Equinox
- o Winter = ~ Winter Solstice
- Re-Alignment Day(s)
You can read more about it on the [link[(https://git.1.goodg.org/admin/gg/wiki/Good-Governance-Calendar-%28GGC%29)
, but here is the bottom line with Good Governance Calendar (GGC) system.
1. Easter will always align with the Spring “Vernal Equinox”
2. Easter will always signals the start of the New Year
3. Easter will always be a Sunday
4. Easter day also reminds the saints the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and 40 week of gestation and signals the Birth of Jesus on the week of December 25 on the Good Governance Calendar (GGC)
What is more interesting, is the presence of the 13th constellation Ophiuchus and in the Christian Interpretive Reading of the skys, in it hints at the story of redemption. It maybe a “barnum effect”, but none the less, this is fascinating worth exploring for academic research if the stars do indeed tell the story of redemption.
The 13 Constellations aligned to 13 Months, hints at the story of redemption.
1. New Birth & Life (Pisces / Fish ) requires
2. Substitutionary Sacrifice (Aries / Ram ) midst of
3. Idolatry/apostasy (Taurus / Bull) by a being with
4. Two natures (Gemini / Twins) leads to
5. Spiritual Conversions (Cancer / Crab) of many from the
6. Lion of Tribe of Judah (Leo / Lion) coming forth from a
7. Virgin (Virgo / Virgin) to
8. Restore Justice (Libra / Scales) will face
9. Sting of Death (Scorpius / Scorpion) for the
10. Man handling or fighting the Serpent (Orphiucus / Serpent-Bearer) then
11. Armed or arms others (Sagittarius / Archer) for War
12. Destroys Followers of the Goat (Capricorn / Sea-Goat) provides
13. Life giving environment (Aquarius / Water-Bearer) is coming soon
The source of inspiration for the GGC is the Torah, Book of Enoch and Book of Jubliee. During the time of the first century writers of the Bible and during the Council of Nicaea, all these books would have been read and understood in the development of the theology and the practice of faith which lead to the New Testament.
I am reminded of prophesy in Daniel 7:25.
> “He will speak words against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make changes in seasons and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (Circa 553 BC)
This prophesy was given 2500+ years ago. Either this prophesy will be fulfilled in the future or satan has already changed the seasons & laws and we are living under it.
Given the logical mess the Gregorian Calendar system is, i.e.
- September, October, November and December doesn’t match the order root it points to
- Confusion of different number of days on different months
- We have better technology to perfectly identify the vernal equinox
Combine with better understanding of the desired outcome from the Council of Nicaea, which is a call for unity among christian churches world wide, perhaps calling born again believers again back to celebrate Easter on the same day on an improved calendar system as proposed by the Good Governance Calendar, will bring forth a new era of unity among christians and allow mankind to better flourish.
# Appendix 1
What is the Nicene Creed?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Nicene-creed.html
Other than the [Apostles’ Creed](https://www.gotquestions.org/apostles-creed.html), the Nicene Creed is likely the most universally accepted and recognized statements of the Christian faith. The Nicene Creed was first adopted in A.D. 325 at the [Council of Nicea](https://www.gotquestions.org/council-of-Nicea.html). The Roman Emperor Constantine had convened the Council of Nicea in an attempt to unify the Christian church with one doctrine, especially on the issues of the Trinity and the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. The Nicene Creed reads as follows:
"We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
“And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
There have been some revisions to the Nicene Creed, including one with the “[Filioque Clause](https://www.gotquestions.org/filioque-clause-controversy.html).” The [Council of Constantinople](https://www.gotquestions.org/Council-of-Constantinople.html) in AD 381 expanded the language of the creed to clarify the orthodox concept of the Trinity. This is the version (shown above) today most commonly referred to as the “Nicene Creed.”
Overall, the Nicene Creed is a good summary of Christian doctrine. There are two primary issues, however. The first regards the phrase "catholic and apostolic church"—this does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church as we know it today. The word "catholic" means “universal.” (The true "catholic" church is all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Please see our article on the [universal church](https://www.gotquestions.org/universal-local-church.html).) Also, "apostolic" means "built on the teaching of the apostles" and is not a statement of support for [apostolic succession](https://www.gotquestions.org/apostolic-succession.html). Second, "baptism for the remission of sins" is a much misunderstood concept. See [Is baptism necessary for salvation?](https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-salvation.html)
# Appendix 2
**Nicene Parallels: Five Historical Records of the Council of Nicaea in Parallel**
1. [https://churchhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Nicene-parallels.pdf](https://churchhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Nicene-parallels.pdf)
2. [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3132895](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3132895)
3. [https://testify.bv.newcovbap.church/docs/Nicene-parallels.pdf](https://testify.bv.newcovbap.church/docs/Nicene-parallels.pdf)