- Hieromartyr Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna (167)
- He was born at Ephesus around the year 70. St Irenaeus of Lyons,
his disciple, says that St Polycarp was 'a disciple of the Apostles and
acquainted with those who had seen the Lord.' His parents died as
martyrs, and he was given into the care of a devout lady named Callista.
As a child, the Saint was so eager to follow the commandments of
Christ that he repeatedly emptied his foster-mother's pantry to feed the
poor. Since her supplies were always miraculously renewed, Callista
changed his name from Pancratius to Polykarpos, meaning 'Much fruit.'
-
When grown, Polycarp became a disciple of St John the Theologian, and
in time became Bishop of Smyrna; it is told that the messages to the
Church at Smyrna in the Book of Revelation are addressed to St Polycarp
and his flock. He knew St Ignatius of Antioch personally, and some of
their correspondence is preserved.
-
Polycarp led his Church in holiness for more than fifty years, and
became known throughout the Christian world as a true shepherd and
standard-bearer of the Faith. About the year 154 he traveled to Rome
and consulted with Pope Anacletus on the defense of the Faith.
-
Not long after he returned to Smyrna, a fierce persecution was
unleashed against Christians in Asia Minor; along with many others, St
Polycarp was arrested, having predicted his imminent martyrdom. (The
account of his martyrdom that follows is based on eyewitness accounts
gathered immediately after his death.)
-
On the evening of Holy Friday, soldiers burst into the farmhouse where
he was staying. The Bishop welcomed them cheerfully, and ordered that a
meal be prepared for them. He was granted some time to pray, and for
two hours stood commemorating everyone that he had known and praying for
the Church throughout the world. His captors sorrowed that they had
come to take such a venerable man, and reluctantly took him to the
Proconsul. When urged to deny Christ and save his life, the aged Saint
replied, 'For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has
wronged me in nothing; how can I blaspheme my King and Savior?' Told
that he would die by fire if he did not apostatize, Polycarp replied
'You threaten me with a fire that burns for a short time and then goes
out, while you know nothing of the fire of the judgment to come and of
the everlasting torment awaiting the wicked. Why wait any longer? Do
what you will!'
-
Placed on the pyre, Polycarp lifted his eyes heavenward and gave thanks
to God for finding him worthy to share with the holy Martyrs of the cup
of Christ. When he had said his Amen, the
executioners lit the fire. The eyewitnesses write that the fire sprang
up around him like a curtain, and that he stood in its midst glowing
like gold and sending forth a delightful scent of incense. Seeing that
the fire was not harming him, the executioners stabbed him with a sword.
His blood flowed so copiously that it put out the fire, and he gave
back his soul to God. His relics were burned by the persecutors, but
Christians rescued a few fragments of bone, which were venerated for
many generations on the anniversary of his repose.
source: http://www.abbamoses.com
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