no room remained for division or controversy concerning the faith.
The commemoration of the paschal feast[1] [Easter] being then debated, it was unanimously decided that it should everywhere be celebrated on the same day. It was, in the first place, declared improper to follow the custom of the Jews in the celebration of this holy festival. Let us, then, have nothing in common with the Jews, who are our adversaries. Another way has been pointed out by our Saviour…… Therefore this irregularity must be corrected, in order that we may no more have anything in common with the parricides and the murderers of our Lord.
Receive, then, willingly, the one regulation unanimously adopted in the city of Rome, throughout Italy, in all Africa, in Egypt, Spain, Gaul, Britain, Libya, Greece, in the diocese of Asia and of Pontus, and in Cilicia.[2]
- ↑ There wore great disputes in the early church about the proper time for celebrating the paschal solemnity (Easter), some local churches observing it on a fixed day each year, and others, with the Jews, on the fourteenth day of the new moon. A decree was issued by Pope Pius, about A. D. 147, commanding all Christians throughout the world to observe the paschal festival on a Sunday. But the bishop of Smyrna came to Rome and alleged that the opposite custom of the Asiatic churches had come down to them by tradition from St. John, and the rest of the apostles. The matter was finally settled by the Nicene Council against the practice of the Eastern Church.
- ↑ See the canon regulating the time for celebrating Easter.
