Archaeologists in Turkey have reportedly uncovered the remains of a church believed to have hosted the First Council of Nicaea, a significant event in Christian history. An international research team excavated a church complex in the ancient city of Nicaea, now known as İznik, in July, as reported by Turkish state media outlet Anadolu Agency. The excavation director, Mustafa Şahin, identified the structure as the Church of St. Neophytos, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 368 A.D. This church was later replaced by the Church of the Holy Fathers, constructed around 380 A.D.
Photographs show the excavation of the stone foundations of the ancient church complex along Lake İznik, where archaeologists have exposed walls and masonry dating back centuries. Şahin noted that the team discovered evidence of a smaller church beneath the existing basilica, leading them to believe it was the site of the First Council of Nicaea, which took place in 325 A.D. The council produced the Nicene Creed, affirming key doctrines of Christianity.
Şahin stated that coins recovered from graves beneath the later basilica helped date its construction to around A.D. 380, suggesting that an earlier church existed at the time of the council. Eusebius of Caesarea, who attended the council, described it as taking place in a small church, which supports Şahin's hypothesis. He expressed confidence that the Church of St. Neophytos was located beneath the Church of the Holy Fathers and was the church that hosted the First Council of Nicaea.