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St. Polycarp of Smyrna
St. Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–c. 155). Born around 69 AD, likely in Asia Minor, Polycarp was a bishop, martyr, and one of the Apostolic Fathers, pivotal in early Christianity. Tradition holds he was a disciple of the Apostle John, receiving direct instruction in Ephesus. Appointed bishop of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), he led with humility, preaching Christ’s divinity and resurrection, countering heresies like Docetism. His epistle, Letter to the Philippians, urged steadfast faith and charity, preserved in early Christian writings. Polycarp mentored figures like Irenaeus and corresponded with Ignatius of Antioch, strengthening church unity. At age 86, during a persecution under Emperor Antoninus Pius, he was arrested for refusing to sacrifice to Roman gods. Bound and burned at the stake in Smyrna’s stadium around 155 AD, he survived the flames, only to be stabbed, his martyrdom recorded in The Martyrdom of Polycarp, one of the earliest such accounts. Unmarried, as a celibate bishop, he left no family but a legacy of courage. Polycarp said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”
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St. Polycarp of Smyrna emphasizes the importance of righteousness, highlighting the teachings of the apostle Paul as a source of wisdom and truth. He encourages the listeners to study Paul's letters diligently for spiritual growth and to strengthen their faith, hope, and love for God, Christ, and others. Polycarp explains that possessing love is key to fulfilling the command of righteousness and being free from sin.
Personal Unworthiness
These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not because I take anything upon myself, but because ye have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom" of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and stedfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, "is the mother of us all." For if any one be inwardly possessed of these graces, he hath fulfilled the command of righteousness, since he that hath love is far from all sin.
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St. Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–c. 155). Born around 69 AD, likely in Asia Minor, Polycarp was a bishop, martyr, and one of the Apostolic Fathers, pivotal in early Christianity. Tradition holds he was a disciple of the Apostle John, receiving direct instruction in Ephesus. Appointed bishop of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), he led with humility, preaching Christ’s divinity and resurrection, countering heresies like Docetism. His epistle, Letter to the Philippians, urged steadfast faith and charity, preserved in early Christian writings. Polycarp mentored figures like Irenaeus and corresponded with Ignatius of Antioch, strengthening church unity. At age 86, during a persecution under Emperor Antoninus Pius, he was arrested for refusing to sacrifice to Roman gods. Bound and burned at the stake in Smyrna’s stadium around 155 AD, he survived the flames, only to be stabbed, his martyrdom recorded in The Martyrdom of Polycarp, one of the earliest such accounts. Unmarried, as a celibate bishop, he left no family but a legacy of courage. Polycarp said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”