Polycarp and anicetus

[DictatorCzar]

So I’ve been researching and hearing about this. So anicetus and Polycarp had an argument about choosing what day to celebrate Easter. Polycarp wanted to celebrate easter on Passover or around 15 of Nissan. While anicetus wanted to celebrate Easter on Sunday. They couldn’t change each other’s minds. I heard that because of this, the pope didn’t have jurisdiction over the other churches?? I also heard they didn’t stay in communion after the argument?? Please give me some texts, I don’t know which texts to go to. I want some texts from the 2nd century to help me better understand this argument.

 

[Todd_Easton]

This subject is mentioned in Eusebius’ Church History, Book V, Chapter 24.

 

[Genesis315]

It shows nothing of the sort. Read Todd_Easton’s link above. The fact that asian bishops appealed to Rome in the first place to settle the matter showed its primacy. St. Victor had no doubt that he had the authority to decide the date and excommunicate everyone involved. None of the other bishops denied that he had this authority either. What they did was tell him it was a terrible idea, contrary to the purpose of his office, and that he shouldn’t do it. And he made the wise decision to heed their rebuke.

The primacy of jurisdiction does not mean the Pope should act like an autocrat.