St Anicetus 11th Pope

St Anicetus was the eleventh Pope from 154 to 168. He was born in Emesa, Syria. Around 162 he had a meeting with St Polycarp of Smyrna over the Pascal or Passover controversy. Those in the East that included Polycarp's Church of Smyrna celebrated on the feast on the 14th of the month of Nisan or the first month on the Assyrian calendar. The Roman Church celebrated the Passover on a week day before Easter Sunday. Jesus was celebrating Passover during the Last Supper which is associated with Holy Thursday. Anicetus and Polycarp did not reach an agreement over the issue but parted on friendly terms. Pope St Anicetus also spent much time countering other religious views growing in Rome such as Manichaeism. He is listed as a martyr but whether the Roman Emperor Lucius Verus actually had him put to death is unclear. His Feast day is celebrated on April 20.