Ecumenical Commemoration
Bishop & Martyr
February 23 · d. 155
also known as Polycarp of Smyrna, Polycarp, St. Polycarp
Polycarp of Smyrna was a bridge figure between the apostolic age and the post-apostolic Church — a disciple of the Apostle John who lived into the reign of Trajan, thus maintaining apostolic teaching into an era when direct memory of the apostles was fading. His martyrdom, recorded in the Martyrdom of Polycarp, is the earliest detailed Christian martyrdom account outside Scripture and became a model for understanding Christian faithfulness unto death.
Traditionally, the flames are said to have refused to burn Polycarp's body, forming instead an arch around him like a sail filled with wind or the vault of an oven, while his flesh gave off a sweet fragrance like baking bread or burning incense rather than the smell of burning flesh. When a soldier pierced him with a dagger (since the flames would not kill him), a great quantity of blood flowed out and extinguished the pyre. The Smyrnaean Christians gathered his bones 'more precious than refined gold' and carefully placed them where the faithful could commemorate his martyrdom annually.
Polycarp was born around 69–70 and, according to Irenaeus (who heard him preach as a child), was personally instructed by the Apostle John and appointed by John as bishop of Smyrna. This direct connection to the apostolic circle gave Polycarp extraordinary authority in the early church — he was a living witness to apostolic tradition. Irenaeus treasured this connection: 'I remember the events of my life more clearly than those of yesterday. For the things that happened throughout my life — learning well, progressing well, and progressing in the love of God — these things I remember more clearly than those things which happened recently, for they were impressed on my soul when I was a child.'
Polycarp's surviving letter to the Philippians shows a pastor deeply rooted in Scripture and apostolic teaching, warning against false teachers and urging the community in steadfast faith and love. The letter quotes or alludes to nearly every New Testament document, demonstrating the Scriptural literacy of an early 2nd-century Christian leader. His famous confrontation with the heretic Marcion — when Marcion asked, 'Do you recognize me?' Polycarp replied, 'I recognize the firstborn of Satan' — reveals a bishop uncompromising in defending the faith against heresy.
Around 155 AD, Polycarp traveled to Rome to discuss with Bishop Anicetus the proper date for celebrating Easter. The Western church observed Easter on the Sunday following the Jewish Passover; the Asian churches, following the practice Polycarp had learned, observed it on the 14th of Nisan regardless of the day of the week. Though they could not agree, they parted in peace and communion — an early model of doctrinal disagreement within fellowship.
Shortly after returning to Smyrna, persecution erupted. The aged bishop — reported to be eighty-six years old — was arrested after being betrayed by a servant under torture. Brought before the proconsul and commanded to curse Christ, Polycarp declared: 'Eighty-six years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?' He was sentenced to death by burning and was martyred, probably on February 23, 155 or 156 AD (the exact year is debated).
S. Polycarp was disciple of S. John the Evangelist, and S. John ordained him bishop of Smyrna. And there were at Rome then two heretics, that one was called Marcian and that other Valentine, the which had deceived much people by their false doctrine. Then S. Polycarp went to Rome on Easter-day, and there by his predication he brought again to the faith them that they had deceived. He wrote to the Philippians a much fair epistle, and much profitable, the which is yet read in Asia unto this day. It happened that in the time that Marcus Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius reigned, which was the year of grace one hundred and sixty-two, was made the fourth persecution on christian people, after the Emperor Nero, through all Asia.
S. Polycarp heard how the people cried and was moved, he therefore was never moved, but abode without dread. And he was gracious and courteous in manners and pleasant in regard, and tarried always in the city as an hardy champion of God. He was so much required of the people that he departed from the city with their familiar friends, that he went to the field nigh unto the city, and there he prayed all the night for the peace of all holy church. And thereof had he a custom all the days of his life. It happed that three days before that he was taken, as he prayed in a night he had a vision, that seemed that his hair was burnt, and when he awoke he told to them that were with him the vision, and expounded it to them, saying that: For certain he should be burnt for love of God. When he saw that they approached him that would have taken him, he went to meet them and right gladly received them, whereof they were much abashed that they were commanded to take so good a man. And anon he laid the table to his enemies, and made to them as good cheer as they had been his friends, and gave to them largely wine and meat, and get of them leave to pray an hour, and all that hour he prayed much devoutly for all the state of holy church. When the hour was passed he mounted upon an ass, and was brought into the city, and as they led him, Herod came, which wwas provost of the country, and his father with him, and they took him into a chariot with them, and
said to him much sweetly: Wherefore do you not sacrifice as the others do? What harm is it to call Cæsar his lord, and to do sacrifice to the gods for to live surely? And when they saw that it availed not, and that always he was firm and constant in the law of God, they were much wroth with him and did to him much harm in the chariot, and as he approached the city a great multitude of people began to murmur against him. Anon a voice descended from heaven saying unto him: Polycarp be strong and constant. That voice was heard of many but none saw it. Then anon it was told to the provost all openly, that Polycarp had three times confessed to be christian. When these tidings were heard all the people of the city of Smyrna, paynims and Jews, began to cry in great ire: This is the master and doctor of all the christian people that be in Asia, and has destroyed all our gods, we require that he be burnt all quick. Then the people assembled much wood and brought him to a stake. And when they brought him to the stake they would have bound him thereto, and nailed the bonds with great nails. Then he said to them: Let me alone, for he that has ordained me to suffer this torment of fire shall give to me virtue of patience, without moving me from this place, for to endure and suffer the flame of the fire.
Then the tyrants left the nails, and bound him with cords to the stake, and his hands bound behind him. And as in his passion he praised and blessed our Lord, and the fire was burning and a great flame shining, a much notable miracle was showed right there to much people, which God showed to the end that it should be showed unto all other. And the miracle was this, that the flame departed all about him in manner of a chamber by virtue of a sweet wind that came from heaven, and the body of the martyr was not as flesh burnt in the flame, but as fair as it had been purified in a furnace, and they that were about him felt an odour so sweet as it had been incense or precious ointment. When the tyrants saw that the fire might not consume the body of the glorious martyr, they made the ministers to approach and did them to smite him through the body with a spear, and then issued out of his glorious body so great abundance of blood that it quenched the fire. And when the people saw the miracle they departed, having much marvel that they did so much cruelty to the friends of God. And with this glorious martyr were twelve other martyrs martyred, for to get the joy of heaven. The which grant us the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Almighty God, you gave your servant Polycarp of Smyrna boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
British (Received Pronunciation): Polycarp /ˈpɒlɪkɑːrp/; Marcion /ˈmɑːʃiən/; Smyrnaean /smɜːrˈniːən/
Readings for a Martyr
Jeremiah 15:15–21Psalm 34Revelation 7:9–17Luke 12:4–12