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Then, for the first time, the idea of a Sunday resurrection was injected into the churches.
Now observe what happened.

Easter Sunday Begins Earlier at Rome

In commenting on those who did not observe the Passover in accordance with the practice
of the apostles, Irenaeus, who lived toward the close of the second century, wrote to Bishop Victor
of Rome, "We mean Anicetus, and Pius, and Hyginus, and Telesphorus, and Xystus. They neither
observed it [the true Passover on the 15th of Nisan] nor did they permit those after them to do so"
(Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I, p. 243).

Who were these men? -- bishops of the church at Rome! Here is the first record, by a
Catholic, of the fact that the Roman bishops no longer observed the Passover at the correct God-
given time, but on a Sunday!

It was Bishop Xystus (his name is also spelled Sixtus) who was the first recorded individ-
ual to prevent the proper observance of the Passover, and to celebrate the sacred mysteries annu-
ally on a Sunday. Irenaeus speaks further of him, declaring that his doctrine was in direct
"opposition" to the practice of the remainder of the churches. Bishop Sixtus was living at the be-
ginning of the second century, just after the Apostle John died.

Notice, too, that Easter Sunday did not begin with Peter or Paul in the 60's A.D., but with
Sixtus in the second century!

Here you have the astounding origin of Easter Sunday in the Western churches. Together
with this practice, the "sacred mysteries" were also observed every Sunday!

The Romans Divided

The introduction of this custom naturally divided the Christians at Rome. The Catholic his-
torian Abbe Duchesne wrote: "There were many Christians of Asia in Rome at that time [remem-
ber that the Church of God at Rome was founded by those who came from Asia Minor where Paul
preached] and the very early Popes, Xystus and Telesphorus, saw them every year keep their
Pasch [the true Passover] the same day as did the Jews. They maintained that was correct. It was
allowed to pass ... though the rest of Rome observed a different use" (The Early History of the
Church, Vol. I, p. 210).

These are startling facts, but they are true! It is time we knew about them!

Irenaeus wrote even more regarding the observance of Easter at Rome and elsewhere as
follows: "But Polycarp also was not only instructed by the apostles, and acquainted with many that
had seen Christ, but was also appointed by apostles in Asia, bishop of the Church of Smyrna .... He
also was in Rome in the time of Anicetus [bishop of Rome, A.D. 155-166] and caused many to turn
away from the ... heretics to the Church of God, proclaiming that he had received from the apostles
this one and sole truth ..." While at Rome, Polycarp discussed the matter of Easter with the Roman
bishop.
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