The Holy Hieromartyr Anicetus was from the city of Emesa in Syria and he was Bishop of Rome in the
middle of the 2nd century AD. (155 – 166 AD). His name in Greek (Ανίκητος), means the invincible.
Saint Polykarpos, who was Bishop of Smyrna at the time (celebrated on February 23), came to
Bishop Anicetus to determine the time of the Easter celebration. As is known, the Churches of Asia
Minor celebrated Easter on the 14th of the month of Nissan, on whatever day it was. On the
contrary, the other Churches did not celebrate Easter at all, but were content with the weekly
Sunday celebration of the Resurrection, but giving more emphasis on the celebration of the first
Sunday after the full moon of the vernal equinox. Due to this difference, the Church of Rome
maintained a strict attitude towards the Asia Minors, Saint Polycarp was forced to go to Rome, to
settle this issue and other secondary issues with the Bishop of Rome Anicetus.
Saint Anicetus became a martyr in the year 166 AD, during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius
(161 – 180 AD)
The saint is celebrated on April 17.
Translated from the Greek source:
https://saint.gr/1955/saint.aspx
