Name: St. Anicetus, Martyr
When: d. 17 April 168 AD, 2nd Century
Feast Day: April 17th (pre-1962 liturgy).
Relics: Catacombs of St Callixtus, Rome, Italy.
Symbolism in Art: Palm of martyrdom, Papal Tiara
Biography:
St. Anicetus, also known as Pope Anicetus, was the bishop of Rome and the Pope from c. AD 155 to his death in AD 168. He was born in Syria in a city called Emessa, and is believed to have been a disciple of St. Polycarp, who was in turn a direct disciple of St. John the Apostle. St. Anicetus was known for his strong leadership, deep faith, and commitment to upholding the teachings of Christ.
During his papacy, St. Anicetus faced various challenges, including the issue of the date for celebrating Easter. At that time, there was a dispute among different Christian communities regarding the date of Easter, with some, such as Polycarp and his diocese of Smyrna, following the Jewish tradition of celebrating it on the 14th of Nisan, while others, including Rome, celebrated it on the Sunday following the Jewish Passover. St. Anicetus, in consultation with other bishops, advocated for celebrating Easter on a Sunday, as it was the day of the Lord’s resurrection, and this practice eventually became the universal norm.
St. Anicetus also had a significant impact on the early Christian community through his efforts in promoting unity and strengthening the bond of love among the faithful. He defended the orthodox faith against heresies, such as Gnosticism and Marcionism, forbidding priests to have long hair (it is thought that the gnostics had long hair), and upheld the authority of the bishop of Rome as the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ on earth.
St. Anicetus was known for his charitable acts and his care for the poor and needy. He was also known for his pastoral care and guidance to the faithful, and his teachings on the primacy of the Roman Church and the authority of the pope.
St. Anicetus’ life was marked by his courage and steadfastness in the face of persecution. During his papacy, the Roman Empire was known for its hostility towards Christians, and many believers faced persecution and martyrdom. It was during the reign of Emperor Lucius Verus, that Pope St Anicetus was martyred in AD 168 around the 17th April, which has since been kept as his feast day.
