The Passover Controversy

The Eastern Church and the Western Church
The Council of Nicaea was an international council of religious leaders from the Eastern and Western Churches, held at Nicaea in Asia Minor in 325 A.D. under the leadership of the Roman Emperor Constantine. The major issues on the agenda, discussed during the Council, were fixing the date of the Passover Communion and dealing with Arianism that denied the Trinity. Especially, the matter of determining the date of the Passover Communion had been disputed since the mid-second century, and it was brought to an end when the Passover was completely abolished at the Council of Nicaea.

The Passover controversy started after all the apostles died and the Early Church was divided into the Eastern Church and the Western Church. The Eastern Church held the Passover Communion on the 14th day of the first month in the sacred calendar and celebrated the Day of Resurrection on the first Sunday after the Feast of Unleavened Bread (the 15th day of the first month in the sacred calendar), according to the teachings of the Bible. On the other hand, the Western Church did not celebrate the Passover, and instead held Communion at Easter.

The Passover Controversy
As the Church of Rome began to celebrate the Eucharist on Easter day instead of celebrating the Passover, Polycarp, Bishop of the Church of Smyrna, and Pope Anicetus, Bishop of the Church of Rome, disputed over the Passover around 155 A.D. Polycarp emphasized that the Passover was a traditional custom handed down from Jesus, saying that he had been celebrating the Passover every year, together with John—one of Jesus’ disciples—and many other apostles. In this dispute, however, they failed to persuade each other.

Afterward, around 197 A.D., Victor the Bishop of Rome insisted that the churches should adopt the Roman practice of celebrating Easter instead of the Passover, and compelled all the churches to accept the Dominical Rule. The churches in the West agreed to follow the Dominical Rule, but the churches in the East which were the foundation of the Christian Church greatly opposed his insistence. Especially, Polycrates, Bishop of the Church of Ephesus, sent a letter to Victor, in which he strongly emphasized that the Passover should be celebrated.

“We,” said he, “therefore, observe the genuine day; neither adding thereto nor taking therefrom. For in Asia great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again in the day of the Lord’s appearing, in which he will come with glory from heaven, and will raise up all the saints; Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who sleeps in Hierapolis, and his two aged virgin daughters. His other daughter, also, who having lived under the influence of the Holy Ghost, now likewise rests in Ephesus. Moreover, John, who rested upon the bosom of our Lord; who also was a priest, and bore the sacerdotal plate (πεταλον), both a martyr and teacher. And is buried in Ephesus; also Polycarp of Smyrna, both bishop and martyr. Thraseus, also, bishop and martyr of Eumenia, who is buried at Smyrna. Why should I mention Sagaris, bishop and martyr, who rests at Laodicea? Moreover, the blessed Papirius; and Melito, the eunuch, whose walk and conversation was altogether under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who now rests at Sardis, a waiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead. All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith...’”
Eusebius Pamphilus Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, pp. 208-209

The Eastern Church continuously celebrated the Passover according to the teachings of Jesus and the traditions of the apostles. This is evidence that the Passover was not abolished even in the New Testament.

The Council of Nicaea is very suggestive in many aspects. Because of the intervention of Emperor Constantine, the Church of Rome came to have much stronger authority and started to exercise great influence over the churches. If any church did not submit to the Roman Church that was supported by the power of the emperor, it was regarded as heretical and persecuted.

However, as the Bible said, “The Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom” (Da 7:22), Christ—the Ancient of Days—came the second time and the truth of life which had been taken away by Satan was restored in its due time.

Giving thanks for the grace of God who has restored the Passover through His sacrifice and love, we should preach this precious message of life more powerfully.



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