Polycrates’ Letter to Victor
In the mid second century, the bishops of Rome decided to deviate from observing Passover. They came up with their own celebration based on a timing of their choosing.
Many Christians in the East continued to observe Passover after the manner of Jesus and His disciples on the fourteenth of Nisan. There was conflict between the two sides. This became known as the Passover Controversy or Quartodeciman Controversy. Quartodeciman means ‘fourteenth’ in Latin.
One episode of this conflict happened in the 190s AD. Victor, the bishop of Rome, tried to intimidate Polycrates, the bishop of Ephesus, to change his view on the subject.
Polycrates responded in a letter that has been preserved for us by the chronicler Eusebius. It is among the most precious pieces of literature handed down to us. We have quoted it below:
“But the bishops of Asia, led by Polycrates, decided to hold to the old custom handed down to them. He himself, in a letter which he addressed to Victor and the church of Rome, set forth in the following words the tradition which had come down to him: ‘We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus…”
“…And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead?…”
“…All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ‘We ought to obey God rather than man’ [Acts 5:29]…”
“…I could mention the bishops who were present, whom I summoned at your desire; whose names, should I write them, would constitute a great multitude. And they, beholding my littleness, gave their consent to the letter, knowing that I did not bear my gray hairs in vain, but had always governed my life by the Lord Jesus” (ibid, 5.24.1-8).
In this letter, Polycrates took a strong stand for observing Passover. He appealed to the example of previous leaders who were well known and held to the same observance. He started with the Apostles John and Philip. The mention of John is especially significant to this conversation because he is discussed as the one who leaned upon Jesus at the last Passover. No such appeal is found for the Roman way of practicing Pascha.
Polycrates then listed bishops after them who continued the same practice. He started with Polycarp and enumerated them up to his time. At least a few of these leaders were martyred.
According to Tertullian, Polycarp was the first bishop to establish Apostolic Succession (Prescription Against Heretics, 32). He followed in the footsteps of the first Apostles, Polycarp, and other leaders who taught the same doctrine.
Polycrates then mentioned that he also celebrated the day that they put away leaven, which is a reference to the feast of unleavened bread. It is a seven-day celebration after Passover. Moreover, he stated that there were a great multitude of bishops who gave their agreement to his stance. Their cities were not cited, but his support had to be significant considering the weight of the authorities mentioned in the letter.
In the letter, the author also attested that he had lived sixty-five years ‘in the Lord’, which likely means he had been converted that long. This means he was a contemporary to many of the post-Apostolic bishops he mentioned such as Polycarp, Melito, and the rest. He would have been influenced by their teachings and manner of life.
This letter is a testimony to the Apostolic nature of observing Passover and Unleavened Bread.
Shalom!
Pastor Kelly