St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr: c. 69-155 A.D.

Bishop of Smyrna and Apostolic Father

St. Polycarp was a disciple of St. John the apostle and evangelist. He became bishop of Smyrna (now modern-day Izmir, Turkey), and was reputedly consecrated by St. John himself. Polycarp was a staunch defender of orthodoxy in the Church. He worked hard against the heresies of Valentianism and Marcionism. He is considered to be one of the second generation of Apostolic Fathers and an acknowledged leader of the Eastern Church.

Origins according to legend

Polycarp's name is one of a series borne by the slaves of the Roman Empire. And legend also tells us that he received the Christian faith as a slave boy in a Christian family. Though both these information have no basis in historical records, what is really recorded about Polycarp is:

• his being a youth-disciple of St. John;
• his being a middle-aged bishop of Smyrna,
• host of St. Ignatius of Antioch, and visitor to Rome;
• and his being an elderly teacher of St. Irenaeus.

Studied St. John's Gospel

Polycarp must have ardently studied John's gospel, and the letter of John to Polycarp's own Church of Smyrna in the book of Revelations. In the book of Revelations, Polycarp may be well have been the "angel" (or "presiding spirit" in the New American Bible translation) of whom John the Evangelist speaks:

"To the presiding spirit of the church in Smyrna, write this: The First and the Last who once died but now lives has this to say: I know of your tribulation and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander you endure from self-styled Jews who are nothing other than members of Satan's assembly. Have no fear of the sufferings to come. The devil will indeed cast some of you into prison to put you to the test; you will be tried over a period of ten days. Remain faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelations 2:8-10)

Arrested during the Christian persecution under Emperor Marcus Aurelius

It was under the persecution by Emperor Marcus Aurelius that soldiers were sent to the place where Polycarp was staying. Polycarp greeted the soldiers and their chief of police, Herod, and ordered supper for them - requesting on his part some time for prayer before he went with them. In his prayers, Polycarp prayed for his own people of Smyrna and for the whole Church with such intense devotion that some of his captors regretted the orders which they were carrying out.

Polycarp's martyrdom

Upon his arrest, the Romans wanted to sway Polycarp to sacrifice to their Roman gods and acknowledge the Emperor's divinity. Polycarp however refused and was then ordered to be burned to death at the stake. When the fire was lit, the flames swirled around Polycarp's body, and did not touch him. Seeing this happen, the Roman proconsul ordered Polycarp to be pierced with a lance. As the soldiers then speared Polycarp, a dove flew from his side and blood spewed forth to start quenching the fire. Polycarp eventually was burned to the stake and his death and martyrdom remembered by the universal Church.

Polycarp's writings and writings on his death

One of Polycarp's writings, his letter to the Philippians, is still in existence and was commended by St. Irenaeus, one of Polycarp's followers. As regards the narrative of Polycarp's martyrdom (Martyrium Polycarpi), this was taken from actual eyewitness accounts written by his followers. The narrative of Polycarp's martyrdom may well be the oldest authentic example of the acta of a martyr.

Polycarp's relics

Polycarp's martyrdom ends on a note of exultation. Though Polycarp's body eventually burned, his followers "afterwards took up his bones, [considering them to be] more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place". The brethren of Polycarp would joyfully treasure these holy bones, honouring also all those who had triumphed in the contest, and preparing themselves also because they still had to endure the persecution. Though St. Polycarp is not named as a patron saint, he has been invoked to save those threatened by flames.

Farewell message

Polycarp belong to that Age of the Martyrs which inspired so many generations of Christians after them. On his farewell message, before he was pierced with a spear and burned to ashes at the stake, St. Polycarp said: "I bless You Father for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ."

References of this article

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• Saints for Our Time, by Ed Ransom
• The New American Bible, New Catholic Translation
• Saints Who Made History, Chapter I: The Age of the Martyrs
• A Year With the Saints, by Don Bosco Press, Inc.