Caesarea in the early 4th century AD, around the year 325. The next primary source for the early Christian celebration of Easter is quoted by Eusebius in Book 5, Chapter 24, which is likely from a lost work by Irenaeus, called "On the Ogdoad." The precise date of this work is uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been written around the year 190-200 AD.
Eusebius, Church History, Book 5, Chapter 24, in which he quotes Irenaeus of Lyons:
"But the bishops of Asia, led by Polycarp, decided to observe the fourteenth day of the moon, on which the Jews were accustomed to celebrate the passover, as the feast of the Saviour’s resurrection, without regard to the day of the week. And they also alleged that they had an ancient tradition derived from John the apostle, to the effect that they had always observed this day. And when some contended that the observance should be on no other day but the Lord’s day, others objecting that it was fitting to end the fast on the fourteenth day (for that day was the day on which the Lord was crucified), Polycarp himself, the most celebrated bishop of the place, and most highly esteemed by all, forming a true judgment in the case, decided that it was better to observe the passover with the brethren on the fourteenth of Nisan, whatever day of the week it should happen to be, rather than to separate from the company of the brethren (13)."
This passage is a quotation from Irenaeus of Lyons, who lived in the 2nd century AD and was one of the most important theologians of the early Christian church. In this passage, Irenaeus describes a dispute in the early church about the proper day to
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Tov Rose (& The NMV Bible Project and Foundation) to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.