[Sidenote: _The famous Controversy about the Celebration of_ Easter.]
But what most of all distinguished the Pontificate of _Victor_ was, the famous Controversy about the Celebration of _Easter_, between the Eastern and Western Bishops; the former keeping that Solemnity on the 14th Day of the first Moon, on what Day soever of the Week it happened to fall; and the latter putting it off till the _Sunday_ following. This, surely, could not be a Point of any Consequence, since the Apostles had not thought fit to settle any thing concerning it; nay, by observing the Paschal Solemnity themselves, some on the one Day, and some on the other, as it is manifest they did[268]; they plainly declared, that it was quite indifferent on what Day it was observed. Accordingly, from the Apostles Time to _Victor_’s, each Church had followed the Custom and Practice established by their respective Founders, without giving the least Disturbance to others, or being, on that Account, disturbed by them[269]. Pope _Anicetus_ even suffered such of the _Asiatics_ as happened to be at _Rome_, to celebrate _Easter_ after the manner of _Asia_[270]: _Soter_, indeed; and his Successor _Eleutherius_, obliged those who lived at _Rome_ to conform to the Custom of that Church; but that did not prevent their sending the _Eucharist_, or Sacrament, to the Bishops who followed the opposite Practice[271]; for a Custom then obtained among Bishops to send the _Eucharist_ to each other, especially at _Easter_, in Token of Communion and Peace; but this Custom was suppressed by the 14th Canon of the Council held in the Fourth Century at _Laodicea_[272]. [Sidenote: Victor_’s haughty Conduct_.] _Victor_, not satisfied with what his Two immediate Predecessors had done, took upon him to impose the _Roman_ Custom on all the Churches that followed the contrary Practice. [Sidenote: _Is opposed by the Bishop of_ Ephesus,] But, in this bold Attempt, which we may call the first Essay of Papal Usurpation, he met with a vigorous and truly Christian Opposition from _Polycrates_, at that Time Bishop of _Ephesus_, and one of the most eminent Men in the Church, both for Piety and Learning. He had studied, says _Eusebius_[273], the Scriptures with great Attention, had conferred with Christians from all Parts of the World, and had ever conformed his Life to the Rules of the Gospel. _Jerom_ speaks of him as a Man of excellent Parts, and one universally respected[274]. In the present Controversy, he peremptorily refused to relinquish the Practice of his own Church, which had been first introduced by the Apostles St. _John_ and St. _Philip_, and had been handed down to him by Seven Bishops of his own Family[275]. Hereupon _Victor_, impatient of Contradiction, wrote a Letter, threatening to cut him off from his Communion, unless he forthwith complied with the Practice of the Church of _Rome_[276]. [Sidenote: _and by a Council of all the Bishops of_ Asia minor.] _Polycrates_, greatly surprised at the hasty Proceedings of his Fellow Bishop, assembled in _Ephesus_ a Council of all the Bishops of _Asia minor_, when it was unanimously resolved, that the Practice, which they had received from their Predecessors, ought not to be changed[277]. Agreeably to this Resolution, _Polycrates_ writ to _Victor_, acquainting him therewith; and, at the same time, modestly insinuating, that, as to his Menaces, he had better forbear them, since they had no manner of Effect upon him, or his Brethren[278]. [Sidenote: _He cuts them off from his Communion._] Upon the Receipt of this Letter _Victor_, giving the Reins to an impotent and ungovernable Passion, published bitter invectives against all the Churches of _Asia_, declared them cut off from his Communion, sent Letters of Excommunication to their respective Bishops; and, at the same time, in order to have them cut off from the Communion of the whole Church, writ to the other Bishops, exhorting them to follow his Example, and forbear communicating with their refractory Brethren of _Asia_[279]. They all complied, to be sure, with the Desire of the Head of the Church, who had Power to command; but, out of his great Moderation, chose to exhort and advise! [Sidenote: _No Regard had to his Excommunication._] No; not one followed his Example, or Advice; not one paid any sort of Regard to his Letters, or shewed the least Inclination to second him in such a rash and uncharitable Attempt; but, on the contrary, they all joined, as _Eusebius_ assures us[280], in sharply censuring and rebuking him, as a Disturber of the Peace of the Church.