Bishop of Smyrna and martyr, disciple of the apostles · Feast: 23 February
Open in the Daily Word app“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
Polycarp was born about the year 69, and he became bishop of Smyrna, the present-day Izmir on the western coast of Turkey. He is a living link with the apostles. St Irenaeus of Lyons, who knew him as a boy, says that Polycarp had been instructed by apostles and had talked with many who had seen the Lord; he remembered Polycarp speaking of his conversations with John. The words of the Book of Revelation to the Church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11), urging it to be faithful until death, came to be fulfilled in him.
St Ignatius of Antioch, on his way to martyrdom in Rome about the year 107, stopped at Smyrna, met Polycarp, and later wrote him a letter full of affection and advice. Polycarp himself wrote to the Church at Philippi, a letter we still have. It is filled with the words of Scripture and with urging to faith, to works of mercy and to perseverance. For the Church of the second century, he was a revered guardian of the apostolic teaching and he stood against those who distorted it.
In his old age, around the year 155, he travelled to Rome to meet Pope Anicetus. They differed over the date of Easter: Polycarp followed the custom of Asia, which he had received from John, and Rome followed its own. Neither persuaded the other, but they stayed in communion, and Anicetus honoured Polycarp by having him preside at the Eucharist in his place. They parted in peace, a lasting model for Churches that differ in custom but share one faith.
Not long afterward, persecution came to Smyrna. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, a letter written by the Church of Smyrna, is the earliest detailed account of a Christian martyr that we have outside the New Testament. Polycarp, then eighty-six or more, was arrested after a servant betrayed his hiding place. He gave food to those who came to arrest him and asked for an hour to pray. Brought to the crowded stadium, he refused to curse Christ, and was condemned to burn. He died about 155 or 156, with a dagger thrust finishing what the fire had not done. The Christians gathered his remains, which they called more precious than jewels, to celebrate the anniversary of his birth into heaven.
He passed on faithfully what he had received from the apostles.
He and Pope Anicetus disagreed and stayed in communion.
Holiness does not retire, and his last witness was his greatest.
He fed the men sent to arrest him.
When the proconsul urged Polycarp to curse Christ and go home, the old man answered that he had served Christ for eighty-six years and that Christ had done him no wrong; how could he blaspheme his King who had saved him?
Irenaeus reports that the heretic Marcion once met Polycarp and asked whether he recognised him. Polycarp answered that he recognised him as the first-born of Satan. The story shows how seriously Polycarp took distortions of the faith.
The Martyrdom says that the flames rose around him like the sail of a ship filled with wind, that he stood within them like bread being baked or gold being refined, and that a sweet scent like incense filled the air. When the fire did not consume him, an executioner stabbed him.
For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?
St Polycarp, in the Martyrdom of Polycarp 9, in substance
Stand fast in these things and follow the example of the Lord, firm and unchangeable in faith, loving the brotherhood and caring for one another.
St Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians 10, in substance
The word to Smyrna, fulfilled in its bishop (Revelation 2:10).
What Polycarp received, he handed on.
Eighty-six years of service, and no regret.
Dear friends, think of the chain that links us to Jesus. St John knew the Lord. Polycarp knew John. Irenaeus as a boy listened to Polycarp. The faith we profess today has come down through such people, hand to hand. Polycarp is one of the first links in that chain, and we can still read his words.
To the Church of Smyrna the Book of Revelation says: Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Polycarp lived that word as an old man. The proconsul offered him an easy way out: curse Christ and go home. He answered that for eighty-six years he had served Christ, who had done him no wrong. How could he blaspheme his King? This is what a long life of faith looks like.
He was also a man of peace. He went to Rome in his old age to discuss the date of Easter with Pope Anicetus. They did not agree, yet they stayed in one communion, and the Pope let him preside at the Eucharist. Our Church knows many customs, calendars and rites. Polycarp reminds us that those can differ as long as we hold firmly to one faith and one communion.
He also fed those who came to arrest him and prayed for them. To our grandparents and elders he says: your last years can be your finest witness. To the young he says: learn the faith from those who have lived it. As we celebrate the Holy Mass / Holy Qurbana today, let us thank God for those who handed the faith on to us, and let us ask for grace to hand it on, whole and faithful, to those who come after us. Amen.
God of all creation, you gave St Polycarp a place in the company of the martyrs to share the cup of Christ. Through his prayers, may we hold firmly to the faith handed down from the apostles and stay faithful to you until death. Amen.