When a young deacon arrives at the imperial city of Nicaea in 325 CE, he expects to simply record theological debates. Instead, he finds himself entangled in murder and conspiracy that could determine the future of Christianity itself.
As Emperor Constantine convenes the first ecumenical council to resolve disputes over Christ's divine nature, Theophilus of Alexandria serves as a humble scribe to Bishop Alexander. The stakes are high—theological unity is essential for Constantine's vision of a Christianized empire.
But when a bishop is poisoned and evidence of political manipulation emerges, Theophilus stumbles upon a plot reaching far beyond doctrinal disagreement. A powerful faction is manipulating the council's outcome, silencing opponents, and reducing divine truth to a tool of imperial policy.
With unexpected allies—including Arius, the very "heretic" his bishop opposes—Theophilus races to expose the conspiracy before more lives are lost. As imperial power collides with ecclesiastical independence, he must choose between safety and integrity, between political advantage and theological truth.
In this meticulously researched historical thriller, the familiar story of Christianity's landmark council is revealed as a spiritual battleground where faith, politics, and power converge with deadly consequences. From the sunbaked streets of Alexandria to the imperial corridors of Constantinople, The Conspiracy at Nicaea brings to life a pivotal moment when the relationship between church and state—and the very definition of Christ—hung in the balance.