Haer. p>But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna, whom I also saw in my early youth, for he tarried [on earth] a very long time, and, when a very old man, gloriously and most nobly suffering martyrdom, departed this life, having always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the Church has handed down, and which alone are true. Legend was he studied under John the Disciple and met others who had “seen Jesus.” But there’s no evidence that’s true; and it’s highly unlikely. Now, as Polycarp was entering into the stadium, there came to him … . – The date of the martyrdom. On the contrary, those presbyters who preceded thee, and who did not observe [this custom], sent the Eucharist to those of other dioceses who did observe it. Therefore when he was brought forward the Pro-Consul asked him if he were Polycarp, and when he admitted it he tried to persuade him to deny, saying: "Respect your age," and so forth, as they are accustomed to say: "Swear by the genius of Caesar, Polycarp, A.D. 69-155: Both a disciple and personal companion of the apostle John. The letter of the Smyrnaeans or the Martyrdom of Polycarp. The writer disapproves of Quintus handing himself over for voluntary martyrdom. Source: All texts and translations are Public Domain and are taken from the Ante-Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers translations edited and translated by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson; A. Cleveland Coxe (ed. ATHENA DATA PRODUCTS. Translated by J.B. Lightfoot. (c) 1990. Marcion met him by chance and said “Do you know us” he replied, “I know the firstborn of the devil.” Afterwards during the reign of Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus in the fourth persecution after Nero, in the presence of the proconsul holding court at Smyrna and all the people crying out against him in the Amphitheater, he was burned. For I have a more vivid recollection of what occurred at that time than of recent events (inasmuch as the experiences of childhood, keeping pace with the growth of the soul, become incorporated with it); so that I can even describe the place where the blessed Polycarp used to sit and discourse-his going out, too, and his coming in-his general mode of life and personal appearance, together with the discourses which he delivered to the people; also how he would speak of his familiar intercourse with John, and with the rest of those who had seen the Lord; and how he would call their words to remembrance. For, while I was yet a boy, I saw thee in Lower Asia with Polycarp, distinguishing thyself in the royal court,3 and endeavouring to gain his approbation. Polycarp was martyred c. 155 CE. There he led back to the faith many of the believers who had been deceived through the persuasion of Marcion and Valentinus, and when. Roberts-Donaldson English Translation For this Irenaeus, being in Rome at the time of the martyrdom of the bishop Polycarp, instructed many; and many most excellent and orthodox treatises by him are in … Martyrdom of Polycarp . Haer., III.3.4. Notwithstanding this, those who did not keep [the feast in this way] were peacefully disposed towards those who came to them from other dioceses in which it was [so] observed (although such observance was [felt] in more decided contrariety [as presented] to those who did not fall in with it; and none were ever cast out [of the Church] for this matter. if (year < 2000) Polycarp refuses to revile Christ. We remember Smyrna today primarily because of an event that happened there. It was sent to the Christian church in Philomelium, Asia Minor, from the church in Smyrna (modern İzmir, Tur.) Online Text for Martyrdom of Polycarp, English Translation by C.H. Information on Martyrdom of Polycarp. Whatsoever things he had heard from them respecting the Lord, both with regard to His miracles and His teaching, Polycarp having thus received [information] from the eye-witnesses of the Word of life, would recount them all in harmony with the Scriptures. On the contrary, those presbyters who preceded thee, and who did not observe [this custom], sent the Eucharist to those of other dioceses who did observe it. The letter as a whole takes influence from both Jewish martyrdom texts in the Old Testament and the Gospels. Irenaeus also mentions Polycarp in his letter to Pope Victor. Now, the blessed Polycarp suffered martyrdom on the second day of the month Xanthicus just begun, 57 the seventh day before the Kalends of May, on the great Sabbath, at the eighth hour. See Article History. “Introductory Note To The Epistle Concerning The Martyrdom Of Polycarp.” Early Christian Writings. Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna around the years AD 155-160 (possibly AD 170-180). . In the public domain. The Epistles of Ignatius were collected by Polycarp, a fact mentioned by Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Athanasius, Theodoret, and other ancients. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the works of the Apostolic Fathers, and as such is one of the very few writings from the actual age of the persecutions. // --> As a youth he learned at the apostles' feet and was evidently ordained by him as the bishop of Smyrna. He, on account of certain questions concerning the day of the Passover, went to Rome in the time of the emperor Antoninus Pins while Anicetus ruled the church in that city. Afterwards during the reign of Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus in the fourth persecution after Nero, in the presence of the proconsul holding court at Smyrna and all the people crying out against him in the Amphitheater, he was burned. Irenaeus mentions Polycarp in Adv. Whatsoever things he had heard from them respecting the Lord, both with regard to His miracles and His teaching, Polycarp having thus received [information] from the eye-witnesses of the Word of life, would recount them all in harmony with the Scriptures. The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna, Concerning the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp. The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna In the article, "The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna," there are two main concerns that are brought to our attention: the original writer and the translators, and the martyrdom of Polycarp. The Church of God which sojourns at Smyrna, to the Church of God sojourning in Philomelium, and to all the congregations of the Holy and Catholic Church in every place: Mercy, peace, and love from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied. V.33.4, Irenaeus describes Papias as "the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp." months[5]="May"; His name means "much fruit" in Greek. // --> var months=new Array(13); And yet nevertheless all these lived in peace one with another, and we also keep peace together. Chapter 1: The Martyrdom of Polycarp — Bishop of Smyrna, By Priscilla Singh ... Before 250 AD. Martyrdom of Polycarp, letter that describes the death by burning of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor. The church of God that is resident at Smyrna to the Church of God that is resident in Philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal Church residing in every place; mercy and peace and love from God the Father and our Lord … 1 Taking the slave then police … Polycarp actively runs from the soldiers – though only after persuasion (5). Polycarp disciple of the apostle John and by him ordained bishop of Smyrna was chief of all Asia, where he saw and had as teachers some of the apostles and of those who had seen the Lord. months[9]="Sept."; Quotes from the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Many in the early church disapproved of such self-preservation. The arrival of the police -- Their reception by Polycarp -- His prayer. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time,-a man who was of much greater weight, and a more stedfast witness of truth, than Valentinus, and Marcion, and the rest of the heretics. Prologue. var time=new Date(); After a lifetime of exemplary ministry, Polycarp was martyred at the age of eighty-six. It was printed in 1710. var year=time.getYear(); For almost all the events that happened previously , took place that the Lord might show us from above a martyrdom becoming the Gospel. months[10]="Oct."; months[4]="Apr. For some consider themselves hound to fast one day, others two days, others still more, while others [do so during] forty: the diurnal and the nocturnal hours they measure out together as their [fasting] day. Recommended Books for the Study of Early Christian Writings These2 opinions, Florinus, that I may speak in mild terms, are not of sound doctrine; these opinions are not consonant to the Church, and involve their votaries in the utmost impiety; these opinions, even the heretics beyond the Church’s pale have never ventured to broach; these opinions, those presbyters who preceded us, and who were conversant with the apostles, did not hand down to thee. In Adv. . There are also those who heard from him that John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, “Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.” And Polycarp himself replied to Marcion, who met him on one occasion, and said, “Dost thou know me? Marcion met him by chance and said "Do you know us" he replied, "I know the firstborn of the devil." Martyrdom of Polycarp is not that kind of martyrdom. Haer. Irenaeus mentions Polycarp in Adv. months[1]="Jan."; and mod. Irenaeus also mentions Polycarp in his letter to Florinus. English Translation by Kirsopp Lake These things, through, God's mercy which was upon me, I then listened to attentively, and treasured them up not on paper, but in my heart; and I am continually, by God's grace, revolving these things accurately in my mind. Polycarp resided in Asia Minor as bishop of Smyrna and sent an epistle to the Philippians c. 120-140 CE. Polycarp 22. Haer., III.3.4. For the controversy is not merely as regards the day, but also as regards the form itself of the fast. CHAPTER 0 . google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2665675471425577"; For background information see . We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and … In Adv. months[8]="Aug."; Polycarp was martyred c. 155 CE. Notwithstanding this, those who did not keep [the feast in this way] were peacefully disposed towards those who came to them from other dioceses in which it was [so] observed (although such observance was [felt] in more decided contrariety [as presented] to those who did not fall in with it; and none were ever cast out [of the Church] for this matter. However, the story of his death for the cause of Christ and the gospel is inspiring. Polycarp was martyred c. 155 CE. year = year + 1900; 2 This account Gaius copied from the papers of Irenaeus. Please buy the CD to support the site, view it without ads, and get bonus stuff! Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Polycarp Home > Church Fathers > Martyrdom of Polycarp. The Martyrdom of Polycarp. CHAPTER 19 19:1 @So it befel the blessed Polycarp, who having with those from Philadelphia suffered martyrdom in Smyrna -- twelve in all -- is especially remembered more than the others by all men, so that he is talked of even by the heathen in every place: for he showed himself not only a notable teacher, but also a distinguished martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, seeing that it was after the pattern … months[6]="June"; So it befell the blessed Polycarp, who having with those from Philadelphia suffered martyrdom in Smyrna–twelve in all–is especially remembered more than the others by all men, so that he is talked of even by the heathen in every place: for he showed himself not only a notable teacher, but also a distinguished martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, seeing that it was after the pattern of … Polycarp resided in Asia Minor as bishop of Smyrna and sent an epistle to the Philippians c. 120-140 CE. months[7]="July"; Early Christian Writings is copyright ©