St. Polycarp of Smyrna – Feb 23 I Saint Martyr, Apostolic Father I (A.D. 69 – 155)

St. Polycarp, a Martyr Saint and Church Father was born in Smyrna (Modern Izmir, Turkey) around A.D. 69. His name Polykarpos, means ‘fruitful, rich in fruit, and ‘much fruit’ in Greek and he was fruitful in every good work (Col. 1: 10). He was born in a non-Christian family and he became an orphan at an early age. An angel ordered a pious widow Kallista, to raise him up. After her death, he gave away his possessions and began a chaste life, caring for the sick and infirm. He had lived near Jerusalem and was proud of his early associations with the Apostles. He became a disciple of St John, the Evangelist, in his young ageand studied Theology. He preached and spoke often about learning from the Apostles who saw the Lord. St. Polycarp is one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Irenaeus of Lyons. St. Irenaeus is regarded the memory-link of Polycarp, to the apostolic past. Writer Papias, another hearer of St. John also became his disciples later. St. Polycarp is known to later generations primarily through the account of his martyrdom, rather than by a formal biography. He wasa man of truly venerable character, and simple piety. 

In A.D. 107 when Mar Ignatius Noorono (God-bearer), his colleague was taken to Rome in chains via Travos, for his martyrdom, he was received by Bishop Polycarp and other believers. There is a special reference to Polycarp in the writings of St. Ignatius. Polycarp was consecrated as the Bishop of Smyrna and he held the sea for 70 years. As Bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp was a father figure and mentor to Irenaeus of Lyons, who heard his preaching’s and mentioned him in several writings. He grew up among the Greek-speaking Christians of the Roman Empire and received the teachings and recollections of individuals who had seen and known Jesus during his earthly life. This important connection, between Jesus’ first disciples and apostles and their respective students served to protect the faith against the influence of heresy during its earliest days, particularly against early attempts to deny Jesus’ bodily incarnation and full humanity.

Polycarp was a subject of the historian Eusebius, who wrote about his martyrdom and connections with John. Eusebius is the earliest source separating out John the Presbyter from John the Divine. Irenaeus’ Letter to the Smyrnaeans is one of the sources recounting Polycarp’s martyrdom. The contents of St. Polycarp’s Epistle to Philippians echo the exhortations at the Sacrament of priestly ordination. “Deacons should be kind and compassionate to all. They should guide those who have gone astray and be enthusiastic in serving the widows, the destitute and the poor. They should have a clear conscience before God and men. They must distance themselves from anger, dissidence, greed and unjust activities. Their judgement should not be harsh keeping in mind the truth that all men have weaknesses . . .”

He was a staunch defender of Orthodoxy and an energetic opponent of the heresy. “For everyone who shall not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is antichrist,” he wrote – citing St. John himself – “and whosoever shall not confess the testimony of the Cross, is of the devil; and whosoever shall pervert the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts and say that there is neither resurrection nor judgment, that man is the firstborn of Satan.”  

“Let us therefore, without ceasing, hold fast by our hope and by the pledge of our righteousness,” Polycarp taught – as he went on to explain that both hope and righteousness depended upon “Jesus Christ, who took up our sins in His own body upon the cross.” With eloquence and clarity, he reminded the Philippian Church that Christ, “for our sakes, endured all things – so that we might live in Him.”

Polycarp’s was among the first recorded Christian martyrdoms. His steadfast obedience to Christ was a powerful testimony, an inspiration not only to the Church he pastored so faithfully in Smyrna, but to Christians throughout the centuries. Antonius Pius and Veerus, the Roman emperors brutally persecuted the Christians. The Christians in Smyrna also experienced similar persecutions. Polycarp was incarcerated and was compelled to malign the Lord. The proconsul urged Polycarp to swear by Caesar their gods. His answer was, “I had served the Messiah for Eighty-six years without suffering any ill effects. How then can I blaspheme and forsake my King and Saviour?”.

As the persecution continued, he was threatened to be thrown to wild animals. Finally, orders were issued to burn him at the stake. As logs were heaped in preparation, he removed his clothes and stood amidst the gathered lumber. When the soldiers tried to bind him, he stopped them saying he had no intention of running away. He merely wanted to pray for strength to face the ordeal. He prayed thus “I thank and praise the Lord for making me worthy by bringing me to this place and moment. Make me eligible before your blessed eyes to be numbered among your martyrs for eternal life and to share the blood and body of Christ. I praise you for all your blessings.”

At the end of his prayers, the flames grew, and he was surrounded by a blaze of fire but surprisingly the flames did not consume Polycarp as expected and never touched him. A fragrance emanated from the fire; the tongues of flame remained like a crescent round his head and formed a circle around him, but his body did not burn, leaving him unscathed. Since the fire did not have its intended effect on Polycarp’s body, an executioner was ordered to stab him to death with a dagger. One of the soldiers pierced the sword into his sides drawing blood and then beheaded him. His blood extinguished the flames. The spectators were amazed by this miraculous sight and observers that day were shocked by the contrast between Polycarp’s martyrdom and the deaths of non-Christians they had witnessed. They beheld the same faithful discipleship in Polycarp’s death that had characterized his life: a humble acceptance of God’s will; praise of God in the most extreme trial; and a joyful, unwavering commitment to Christ even when faced with death.

Most of the reference books record this event as having happened during the reign of Antonius Pius Caesar (AD 138 – 161) on 23 February A.D. 155, though Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History records this event to have happened in A.D. 167 or A.D. 168. Polycarp’s was among the first recorded Christian martyrdoms. His steadfast obedience to Christ was a powerful testimony, an inspiration not only to the Church he pastored so faithfully in Smyrna, but to Christians throughout the centuries.

His body was cremated to prevent the believers from taking it away. They collected his bones and interred them with great reverence. His feast is celebrated on 23 February by the Orthodox Church.