Difference between revisions of "Pope Anicetus" - New World Encyclopedia
m |
m |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
deathplace=[[Rome]], [[Italy]]|}} | deathplace=[[Rome]], [[Italy]]|}} | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
{{Infobox Saint | {{Infobox Saint | ||
|name=Saint Anicetus | |name=Saint Anicetus | ||
| Line 46: | Line 40: | ||
|prayer_attrib= | |prayer_attrib= | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Pope Saint Anicetus''' was [[ | + | '''Pope Saint Anicetus''' was [[bishop of Rome]] in the mid-second century. With his pontificate, the early papacy begins to take on a more definite historical character compared to most of his predecessors. Nevertheless, sources vary widely concerning Anicetus' dates, ranging from a beginning date of 150-157 to and ending date of 153-168. |
| − | + | Anicetus was involved in upholding the Roman tradition of celebrating Easter on Sunday rather than in relation to day of Jewish Passover, although he did not insist that other churches follow the Roman custom. In connection with this issue he received a visit from the venerable Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna, who supported the Eastern tradition of keep the Easter feast on the [[Quartodeciman|fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan]]. Another prominent visitor to Anicetus was the Christian historian [[Hegesippus]]. | |
| − | The Christian historian [[Hegesippus|Saint Hegesippus]] also visited [[Rome]] during Anicetus' pontificate. | + | Anicetus was probably the pope referred to by Tertellian as condemning [[Montanism]] as [[heresy]]. He also actively opposed the [[Gnostic]]s and [[Marcionism]]. According to ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', Anicetus decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair. Anicetus is reported to have suffered [[martyrdom]] during the reign of the [[Roman Emperors|Roman Co-Emperor]] [[Lucius Verus]]. However, his martyrdom cannot be historically confirmed. April 16, 17, and 20 are all cited as the date of his death, but April 17 is celebrated as his memorial or [[feast day]]. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Biography== | ||
| + | The name Anicetus is [[Greek language|Greek]] for ''unconquered''. He was a [[Syriac|Syrian]] from the city of [[Emesa]] (modern-day [[Homs]]). Nothing more is known of his background except that his father's name is given as John. | ||
| + | |||
| + | According to that late second-century writer Bishop [[Irenaeus]] of Lyons, the aged Bishop [[Polycarp|Polycarp of Smyrna]], visited the Roman Church during Anicetus' time. Polycarp, then some 80 years of age, was especially honored in the early church as he had been a disciple of Saint [[John the Evangelist]]. Irenaeus relates that the found themselves in agreement on all matters then facing the church except the question of the celebration of Easter. Polycarp's church at Smyrna, together with the other churches of Asia Minor, marked the yearly commemoration of the [[Crucifixion]] on the [[Quartodeciman|fourteenth day of Nisan]], which coincides with the Jewish [[Passover]]. The particular day of the week was not important in the East, which generally followed the tradition of the Gospel of John that Jesus had been crucified on Passover. Although the Roman Church did not yet celebrate a special Easter festival, it held that [[Jesus]] had been resurrected on Sunday, and that this day should therefore be considered Easter rather than 14 Nisan. Polycarp attempted to persuade Anicetus of the correctness of the Eastern view, but the two could not reach agreement. On the other hand, Anicetus conceded to Polycarp and the church of Smyrna could retain the date to which they were accustomed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | According to the fourth century writer [[Eusebius of Caesaria]], the Christian historian [[Hegesippus|Saint Hegesippus]] also visited [[Rome]] during Anicetus' pontificate. The visits of Polycarp and Hegisippus—especially that of Polycarp in connection with Easter—are often cited in Catholic tradition as a sign of the early importance of the [[Roman See]]. | ||
St Anicetus was the first Roman Bishop to condemn [[heresy]] by forbidding [[Montanism]]. He also actively opposed the [[Gnostic]]s and [[Marcionism]]. According to ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', Anicetus decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair (perhaps because the Gnostics wore long hair). St Anicetus is reported to have suffered [[martyrdom]] during the reign of the [[Roman Emperors|Roman Co-Emperor]] [[Lucius Verus]]. April 16, 17, and 20 are all cited as the date of his death, but April 17 is celebrated as his memorial or [[feast day]]. Exact details relating to the type of martyrdom he suffered are not known. | St Anicetus was the first Roman Bishop to condemn [[heresy]] by forbidding [[Montanism]]. He also actively opposed the [[Gnostic]]s and [[Marcionism]]. According to ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'', Anicetus decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair (perhaps because the Gnostics wore long hair). St Anicetus is reported to have suffered [[martyrdom]] during the reign of the [[Roman Emperors|Roman Co-Emperor]] [[Lucius Verus]]. April 16, 17, and 20 are all cited as the date of his death, but April 17 is celebrated as his memorial or [[feast day]]. Exact details relating to the type of martyrdom he suffered are not known. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Exact details relating to the type of martyrdom he suffered are not known. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | While Anicetus was Pope, St. Polycarp, then in extreme old age, came to confer with him (160-162) about the Paschal controversy; Polycarp and others in the East celebrating the feast on the fourteenth of the month of Nisan, no matter on what day of the week it fell; whereas in Rome it was always observed on Sunday, and the day of the Lord's death on Friday. The matter was discussed but nothing was decided. According to Eusebius: "Polycarp could not persuade the Pope, nor the Pope, Polycarp. The controversy was not ended but the bonds of charity were not broken"; the Pope permitting the aged saint to celebrate on the day he had been accustomed to in the Church of Smyrna. | ||
| + | Hegesippus, the first Christian historian whose writings are of great value, because he lived so near the time of the Apostles, also came to Rome at this time. His visit is recorded by most ecclesiastical authors as noteworthy, inasmuch as it calls attention to the fact that many illustrious men repaired to Rome at that period, thus emphasizing very early the supreme dignity and authority of the Roman Pontiffs. Marcion, Marcellinus, Valentine, and Cordo were also at Rome, disturbing the Church by their Manichæism. Anicetus suffered martyrdom in 161, but the dates vary between 16, 17, and 20 April. | ||
{{start}} | {{start}} | ||
Revision as of 04:17, 30 December 2008
| Saint Anicetus | |
|---|---|
| 150px | |
| Birth name | Anicetus |
| Papacy began | ca. 154 |
| Papacy ended | ca. April 17, 167 |
| Predecessor | Pius I |
| Successor | Soter |
| Born | ??? Emesa, Syria |
| Died | ca. April 17, 167 Rome, Italy |
| Saint Anicetus | |
|---|---|
| Pope and Martyr | |
| Born | late first century AD in Emesa (modern-day Homs), Syria |
| Died | April 17, 168 in Rome, Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | April 17 |
| Attributes | Pope, Martyr |
Pope Saint Anicetus was bishop of Rome in the mid-second century. With his pontificate, the early papacy begins to take on a more definite historical character compared to most of his predecessors. Nevertheless, sources vary widely concerning Anicetus' dates, ranging from a beginning date of 150-157 to and ending date of 153-168.
Anicetus was involved in upholding the Roman tradition of celebrating Easter on Sunday rather than in relation to day of Jewish Passover, although he did not insist that other churches follow the Roman custom. In connection with this issue he received a visit from the venerable Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna, who supported the Eastern tradition of keep the Easter feast on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan. Another prominent visitor to Anicetus was the Christian historian Hegesippus.
Anicetus was probably the pope referred to by Tertellian as condemning Montanism as heresy. He also actively opposed the Gnostics and Marcionism. According to Liber Pontificalis, Anicetus decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair. Anicetus is reported to have suffered martyrdom during the reign of the Roman Co-Emperor Lucius Verus. However, his martyrdom cannot be historically confirmed. April 16, 17, and 20 are all cited as the date of his death, but April 17 is celebrated as his memorial or feast day.
Biography
The name Anicetus is Greek for unconquered. He was a Syrian from the city of Emesa (modern-day Homs). Nothing more is known of his background except that his father's name is given as John.
According to that late second-century writer Bishop Irenaeus of Lyons, the aged Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna, visited the Roman Church during Anicetus' time. Polycarp, then some 80 years of age, was especially honored in the early church as he had been a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist. Irenaeus relates that the found themselves in agreement on all matters then facing the church except the question of the celebration of Easter. Polycarp's church at Smyrna, together with the other churches of Asia Minor, marked the yearly commemoration of the Crucifixion on the fourteenth day of Nisan, which coincides with the Jewish Passover. The particular day of the week was not important in the East, which generally followed the tradition of the Gospel of John that Jesus had been crucified on Passover. Although the Roman Church did not yet celebrate a special Easter festival, it held that Jesus had been resurrected on Sunday, and that this day should therefore be considered Easter rather than 14 Nisan. Polycarp attempted to persuade Anicetus of the correctness of the Eastern view, but the two could not reach agreement. On the other hand, Anicetus conceded to Polycarp and the church of Smyrna could retain the date to which they were accustomed.
According to the fourth century writer Eusebius of Caesaria, the Christian historian Saint Hegesippus also visited Rome during Anicetus' pontificate. The visits of Polycarp and Hegisippus—especially that of Polycarp in connection with Easter—are often cited in Catholic tradition as a sign of the early importance of the Roman See.
St Anicetus was the first Roman Bishop to condemn heresy by forbidding Montanism. He also actively opposed the Gnostics and Marcionism. According to Liber Pontificalis, Anicetus decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair (perhaps because the Gnostics wore long hair). St Anicetus is reported to have suffered martyrdom during the reign of the Roman Co-Emperor Lucius Verus. April 16, 17, and 20 are all cited as the date of his death, but April 17 is celebrated as his memorial or feast day. Exact details relating to the type of martyrdom he suffered are not known.
Exact details relating to the type of martyrdom he suffered are not known.
While Anicetus was Pope, St. Polycarp, then in extreme old age, came to confer with him (160-162) about the Paschal controversy; Polycarp and others in the East celebrating the feast on the fourteenth of the month of Nisan, no matter on what day of the week it fell; whereas in Rome it was always observed on Sunday, and the day of the Lord's death on Friday. The matter was discussed but nothing was decided. According to Eusebius: "Polycarp could not persuade the Pope, nor the Pope, Polycarp. The controversy was not ended but the bonds of charity were not broken"; the Pope permitting the aged saint to celebrate on the day he had been accustomed to in the Church of Smyrna. Hegesippus, the first Christian historian whose writings are of great value, because he lived so near the time of the Apostles, also came to Rome at this time. His visit is recorded by most ecclesiastical authors as noteworthy, inasmuch as it calls attention to the fact that many illustrious men repaired to Rome at that period, thus emphasizing very early the supreme dignity and authority of the Roman Pontiffs. Marcion, Marcellinus, Valentine, and Cordo were also at Rome, disturbing the Church by their Manichæism. Anicetus suffered martyrdom in 161, but the dates vary between 16, 17, and 20 April.
| Roman Catholic Popes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Pius I |
Bishop of Rome Pope 154–167 |
Succeeded by: Soter |
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
"Pope St. Anicetus" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.- Duff, Eamon. Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes, Yale University Press, 2001, p. 13. ISBN 0300091656
- Maxwell-Stuart, P. G. Chronicle of the Popes: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Papacy from St. Peter to the Present, Thames & Hudson, 2002, p. 19. ISBN 0500017980.
External links
| ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
