POLYCRATES of Ephesus. — He defended in a letter of reply to Pope VICTOR (189–99) and to the Roman Church the quartodeciman tradition of the Church in Asia Minor. The defence is based on the fact that the Asian observance is attested by apostles (Philip, John), bishop-martyrs and charismatics (the virgin daughters of Philip and the “eunuch” Melito). To the list of these ten witnesses is added mention of their tombs.
It may be supposed that Rome had requested, in juridical form, a certain number of witnesses to the truth of the apostolic tradition in Asia Minor and a large number of adherents among the bishops. It is clear that Victor in his previous letter had spoken in relation to the Roman tradition of the tombs of the Apostles in Rome. What is surprising in the reply of P. is the repeated reference to the second coming of Christ. Perhaps behind this formulation there lies a veiled threat, namely that the persons indicated by him will, at the Last Judgement, bear witness against the representatives of the opposing tradition. Thus would be explained the unquenchable continuation of the dispute. Also noteworthy in the epistle of P. is his statement that, besides himself, seven other members of his family had belonged to the episcopate and observed the Asian usage.