Pope Anicetus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Saint Anicetus |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
 |
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| See | Holy See |
| Papacy began | c. 157 |
| Papacy ended | c. 20 April 168 |
| Predecessor | Pius I |
| Successor | Soter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | late 1st century Emesa, Phoenice |
| Died | April 168 Rome, Roman Empire |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 20 April (West) 17 April (East) |
| Attributes | Papal tiara, palm branch |
Pope Anicetus was an important early leader of the Christian Church. He served as the tenth Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome. He led the Church from about 157 AD to 168 AD. During his time, Rome became a major center for Christian learning. Many wise teachers, like St. Hegesippus, St. Justin Martyr, and St. Polycarp, taught there. St. Polycarp was even a follower of St. John the Evangelist, one of Jesus's closest friends.
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Pope Anicetus's Role
Pope Anicetus was born in Emesa, a city in what is now Syria. He became the leader of the Christian Church in Rome. This was a very important job, as Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire. The Pope's role was to guide Christians and help the Church grow.
Rome as a Learning Center
During Anicetus's time, many important Christian thinkers came to Rome. They shared their knowledge and helped people understand the Christian faith better. This made Rome a place where people could learn a lot about Christianity.
The Easter Celebration Debate
One of the biggest discussions during Pope Anicetus's time was about Easter. People disagreed on when to celebrate the feast of Jesus's Resurrection. Some Christians, especially in the Eastern Church, believed Easter should be celebrated on the same day as the Jewish holiday of Passover. This meant Easter could fall on any day of the week.
Anicetus's Decision
Pope Anicetus, however, believed Easter should always be celebrated on a Sunday. He felt this honored the day Jesus rose from the dead. This practice of celebrating Easter on a Sunday became the common custom in the Western Church. Even today, most Christians celebrate Easter on a Sunday.
Remembering Pope Anicetus
Pope Anicetus is remembered as a saint. His feast day is celebrated on April 17 in the Eastern Church. In the Western Church, it is celebrated on April 20.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Aniceto para niños
