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Polycrates of Ephesus

c. 130 – c. 196 · b. Ephesus · Bishop of Ephesus
bishop

Bishop of Ephesus; led the Asian churches in defending the Quartodeciman Easter against Pope Victor I c. 190.

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Common questions

Who was Polycrates of Ephesus?
Polycrates of Ephesus (130–196) — Bishop of Ephesus; led the Asian churches in defending the Quartodeciman Easter against Pope Victor I c. 190.
Who did Polycrates of Ephesus oppose?
Pope Victor I.

Sources for biography

  • Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 5.24 primary
  • Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 45 primary

documented connections(2)

  • opposed (incoming) Pope Victor I
    Victor I attempted to excommunicate the Asian churches led by Polycrates over the Quartodeciman Easter; rebuked by Irenaeus.
    Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 5.23-25
  • knew of Melito of Sardis
    In his letter to Pope Victor preserved by Eusebius, Polycrates names Melito of Sardis among the 'great luminaries' of Asia who kept the Quartodeciman Pascha.
    Polycrates, Letter to Victor, in Eusebius Hist. Eccl. 5.24.5

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