Pope Anicetus

Saint Anicetus
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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.

Easter controversy

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. Although most of Hegesippus' works are lost, he is considered the first Christian historian whose writings are of great value, because he lived so near the time of the Apostles. The visits of Polycarp and Hegisippus are often cited in Catholic tradition as a sign of the early importance of the Roman See. To quote the Catholic Encyclopedia: "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."

Dealing with heresy

In Anicetus' time, the Christianity in Rome was a diverse community. Among the famous teachers spreading an alternative version of the Christian message there were Marcion and Valentinus, among others. Marcion had been prominent in the Roman church not only for his teaching but because he was a man of great wealth had made a large donation that had helped increase the chruch's prestige. His doctrine, however, held that the Christian God was a completely different being than the God referred to as the Creator in the Jewish scriptures. He therefore rejected the Hebrew Bible entirely and accepted only an abridged version of the Gospel of Luke and a number of the letters of the Apostle Paul as sacred scripture. Although Marcion had been excommunicate prior to Anicetus' episcopacy, his followers now formed a rival congregation with Anicitus had to contend. No less a problem was Valentinus, the premier Gnostic teacher of his age. Valentinus' mystical philosophy shared with Marcion a belief that the Jewish God was an inferior being to the Heavenly Father of Jesus, but also developed a rich literary and spiritual tradition that attracted many followers.

The opposite pole to these alternative brands of Christianity was represented by Jewish Christians who insisted strictly on Jesus' humanity (as opposed to his divinity) and continued to practice Jewish customs like circumcision and kosher dietary laws.

Finally, there were the Montanists, a group within the Christian community who spoke in tongues, and held believed in continuing revelation though prophecy, and urged the church to a strict asceticism in preparation for the imminent Second Coming of Christ. Anicetus may have been the first Roman bishop to condemn Montanism as heresy. According to the Liber Pontificalis, he decreed that priests were not allowed to have long hair, perhaps because the Gnostics wore long hair. However, this decree is not historical confirmed and many believe it was actually a successor pope, Eleuthus, who was the pope condemned the Montanists.

For after the Bishop of Rome had acknowledged the prophetic gifts of Montanus, Prisca, and Maximilla, and, in consequence of the acknowledgment, had bestowed his peace on the churches of Asia and Phrygia, he [Praxeas], by importunately urging false accusations against the prophets themselves and their churches… compelled him to recall the pacific letter which he had issued, as well as to desist from his purpose of acknowledging the said gifts. By this Praxeas did a twofold service for the devil at Rome: He drove away prophecy, and he brought in heresy; he put to flight the Paraclete, and he crucified the Father.

Exact details relating to the type of martyrdom he suffered are not known.

Roman Catholic Popes
Preceded by: Pius I	Bishop of Rome Pope 154–167	Succeeded by: Soter

References

ISBN 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

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Pope St. Anicetus

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