This paper explores how the philosophical expression phôs ek phôtos (‘light from light’), found in Plotinus and later employed by Eusebius and Athanasius in discussions related to the Council of Nicaea, was interpreted by the Cappadocian Fathers. This investigation demonstrates that Nicaea can be read as a clash between two distinct theological interpretations of the philosophical formula phôs ek phôtos: one developed by Eusebius and the other by Athanasius. The Cappadocians advanced the latter interpretation, viewing the Council in a relational context.