Quartodecimanism

Christianity

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July 13, 2026

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Quartodecimanism refers to a practice within early Christianity, particularly in Asia Minor during the 2nd century, where Easter was observed on the 14th of Nisan. This date coincided with the Jewish Passover, regardless of the day of the week. This practice differed from the eventual standardization of Easter, which was decreed by the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE to be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Quartodecimans were also a group of Celtic Christians in 7th-century Britain who used a different method for calculating Easter than continental Europe. Easter itself is a principal Christian holiday commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion.12

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The date of Easter
…one particular evening, but others—the Quartodecimans—claimed that it meant the evening before, since sunset heralded a new day. Both sides had their protagonists, the Eastern churches supporting the Quartodecimans, the Western churches the Quintodecimans. The question was finally decided by the Western church in favor of the Quintodecimans, though there…
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…one particular evening, but others—the Quartodecimans—claimed that it meant the evening before, since sunset heralded a new day. Both sides had their protagonists, the Eastern churches supporting the Quartodecimans, the Western churches the Quintodecimans. The question was finally decided by the Western church in favor of the Quintodecimans, though there…
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Christianity
Early controversies
Quartodecimanism, a dispute over the date of Easter, pitted Christians from Asia Minor against those from Rome. Montanism—which taught a radical enthusiasm, the imminent Second Coming of Christ, and a severe perfection, including abstinence from marriage—split the church. The Novatians broke
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Quartodecimanism, a dispute over the date of Easter, pitted Christians from Asia Minor against those from Rome. Montanism—which taught a radical enthusiasm, the imminent Second Coming of Christ, and a severe perfection, including abstinence from marriage—split the church. The Novatians broke
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St. Victor I
… over that celebrated by the Quartodecimans of Asia Minor, who kept the holiday on 14 Nisan rather than on the following Sunday. Victor threatened Polycrates (the bishop of Ephesus) and other bishops of Asia Minor with excommunication if they did not abandon their practice, and, when they defied him, he…
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… over that celebrated by the Quartodecimans of Asia Minor, who kept the holiday on 14 Nisan rather than on the following Sunday. Victor threatened Polycrates (the bishop of Ephesus) and other bishops of Asia Minor with excommunication if they did not abandon their practice, and, when they defied him, he…
Read More