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Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus
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3:
THE CONTROVERSY IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE DAY: but also about the way of fasting itself. Some feel obliged to fast for one day, others for two days, and some for more, while others for forty days: they count both day and night hours together as their fasting day. This variety among those observing the fast didn't start in our time—it began long ago with our predecessors. Some of them probably, not being very precise in their observance, passed down the custom to future generations as it was, through simplicity or personal preference.
Yet, despite this, all of them lived in peace with one another, and we also maintain peace together.
Thus, the difference in observing the fast fosters the harmony of our shared faith. The presbyters before Soter who led the Church you now govern—namely, Anicetus, Pius, Hyginus, Telesphorus, and Sixtus—neither observed it in that manner themselves nor allowed those with them to do so. Despite this, those who did not observe the feast in this way remained at peace with those from other dioceses where it was practiced, even though such observance was more strongly opposed by those who did not conform to it; and no one was ever expelled from the Church over this issue.
On the contrary, the presbyters who came before you and did not observe this custom sent the Eucharist to those in other dioceses who did. When the blessed Polycarp visited Rome during the time of Anicetus, even though a minor controversy arose over certain other points, they were immediately well disposed towards each other regarding this matter, determined not to let any dispute arise between them on this subject. Anicetus could not persuade Polycarp to give up his observance, as these practices had always been followed by John, the disciple of our Lord, and by other apostles with whom he was acquainted.
On the other hand, Polycarp couldn't convince Anicetus to observe it his way, as Anicetus was committed to following the traditions of the presbyters before him. In this situation, they maintained fellowship with each other; Anicetus showed his respect for Polycarp by allowing him to celebrate the Eucharist in the Church.
Thus, they parted in peace, maintaining peace with the entire Church, including those who observed the custom and those who did not.