SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 17

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 17

St. Anicetus, Roman Catholic Pope a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155 and actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism. His pontificate saw the appearance of the controversy between East and West over the date of Easter. St. Polycarp, a disciple of John, is reported to have visited him in Rome about the dispute, which was to accelerate and grow more heated over the following centuries. Feast day April 17

ST. SIMEON, BISHOP OF SELEUCIA AND MARTYR-In 324, Simeon Barsabae became Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon in Persia. Twenty years later, the king, Sapor II began once again to persecute Christians, and Simeon was martyred with numerous companions, including Usthazade, a eunuch in the royal court, whom he converted on his way to martyrdom.  

ST. ROBERT, ABBOT OF CÌTEAUX-A monk at Molesme, in France, Robert pressed for a strict observance of the Benedictine rule, in contrast to his brethren. In 1098 he founded at new abbey at Cîteaux, whose monks were later called Cistercians. He died in 1111, and was canonized by Pope Honorius III in 1222. 

St. Stephen Harding, O. Cist. Roman Catholic English monk and abbot, who was one of the founders of the Cistercian Order. Feast day April 17