Summary
Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor (modern-day Izmir, Turkey), was a prominent early Christian leader and disciple of the apostle John. In the mid-2nd century, around 155-160 AD, he faced persecution under Roman authorities during a time when Christians were targeted for refusing to worship the emperor. At the age of 86, Polycarp became a symbol of steadfast faith, as documented in the "Martyrdom of Polycarp," an early Christian letter written by eyewitnesses from the Smyrna church to other communities. This account, one of the earliest martyrdom narratives outside the New Testament, highlights his role as a model martyr who embodied courage and devotion amid growing anti-Christian sentiment.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp (Free Book)
Greeting
The Church of God staying in Smyrna sends greetings to the Church of God staying in Philomelium, and to all the congregations of the holy and universal Church everywhere: May mercy, peace, and love from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied to you.
What We're Writing About
We've written to you, brothers and sisters, about the martyrs, especially the blessed Polycarp, who brought an end to the persecution, almost like he sealed it with his martyrdom. Most of the events that happened before this were so the Lord could show us a martyrdom that fits the Gospel. Polycarp waited to be handed over, just like the Lord did, so that we might follow his example, focusing not just on ourselves but also caring for our neighbors. True and genuine love means wanting not only our own salvation but also the salvation of all our brothers and sisters.
The Amazing Steadfastness of the Martyrs
All the martyrdoms that happened according to God's will were truly blessed and noble. It's important for us, who claim to be more devout than others, to recognize that God has control over everything. Honestly, who wouldn't admire their courage and patience, along with the love they showed for their Lord? Even when they were whipped so severely that their bodies were torn open, revealing their veins and arteries, they endured it patiently. Even those watching felt sorry for them and cried. Yet, they were so brave that not a single sigh or groan escaped them. This showed us that these holy martyrs of Christ, even while suffering such pain, were not really present in their bodies. Instead, it was like the Lord was right there with them, talking to them. By focusing on Christ's grace, they ignored all the world's torments, saving themselves from eternal punishment by enduring just one hour of suffering. Because of this, the fire from their cruel executioners seemed cool to them. They kept their minds on escaping the eternal fire that never goes out and looked forward with their hearts to the good things waiting for those who endure. These are things that "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man" (1 Cor. 2:9), but were revealed to them by the Lord, as they were no longer just humans but had become like angels. Similarly, those sentenced to face wild beasts endured terrible tortures. They were stretched out on beds full of spikes and faced various other torments, all in an attempt by the tyrant to make them deny Christ, if possible.
Germanicus Stays Strong. People Call for Polycarp's Death
The devil really did try a lot of things against them, but thank God, he couldn't win in the end. The brave Germanicus inspired others who were scared by showing great patience and courageously fighting the wild animals. When the proconsul tried to convince him to have mercy on himself because of his age, Germanicus actually provoked the wild beast to come at him. He wanted to leave this unjust and ungodly world even faster. Seeing this, the whole crowd was amazed by the courage and faith of the Christians and started shouting, "Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be sought out!"
Quintus the Traitor
There was a man named Quintus, a Phrygian, who had just recently arrived from Phrygia. When he saw the wild beasts, he got scared. He was the one who had pushed himself and some others to voluntarily come forward for trial. The proconsul managed to convince him, after a lot of persuasion, to swear an oath and offer a sacrifice. So, brothers and sisters, we don't support those who willingly put themselves in harm's way, since the Gospel doesn't teach us to do that (Matt. 10:23).
Polycarp's Departure and Vision
But the amazing Polycarp, when he first heard that people were looking for him, wasn't worried at all and decided to stay in the city. However, because many people wanted him to, he was convinced to leave. So, he went to a house in the countryside not too far from the city. There, he stayed with a few friends, spending all his time, day and night, praying for everyone and for the churches around the world, just like he always did. While he was praying, he had a vision three days before he was captured. In the vision, the pillow under his head seemed to be on fire. After seeing this, he turned to the people with him and said, predicting, "I must be burnt alive."
Polycarp is Betrayed by a Servant
When the people looking for him got close, he moved to another place, but his pursuers quickly followed. When they couldn't find him, they grabbed two young guys who were there. One of them, after being tortured, confessed. It was impossible for him to stay hidden because the people who betrayed him were from his own household. Herod, the Irenarch (similar to the Cleronomus), rushed to bring him to the stadium. This all happened so he could fulfill his destiny, sharing in Christ's experience, and so those who betrayed him would face the same fate as Judas.
Polycarp is Caught by His Pursuers
His pursuers, along with some horsemen and taking the young man with them, set out around dinner time on the day before the Sabbath, armed as if they were going after a robber (Matt. 26:55). When they arrived in the evening at the place where he was, they found him lying down in the upper room of a small house. He could have escaped to another place, but he chose not to, saying, "The will of God be done". When he heard they had arrived, he went down to talk to them. Those who were there were amazed at his age and steadfastness, and some of them wondered, "Was so much effort really needed to capture such a respected man?" Right then, he ordered food and drink to be brought for them, as much as they wanted, and asked them to let him pray for an hour without interruption. When they agreed, he stood and prayed, filled with the grace of God, and he couldn't stop for two whole hours. This amazed those who heard him so much that many started to regret coming out against such a devout and respected old man.
Polycarp is Brought into the City
After he finished praying, mentioning everyone he had ever interacted with, whether they were important or not, and the entire church around the world, it was time for him to leave. They put him on a donkey and took him into the city on the day of the great Sabbath. Irenarch Herod and his father Nicetes, who were both in a chariot, met him. They picked him up into the chariot and sat next to him, trying to convince him by saying, "What's the harm in saying, 'Lord Caesar,' and doing the sacrifices and ceremonies? That way, you can be safe." At first, he didn't respond, but when they kept pushing, he said, "I shall not do as you advise me." Realizing they couldn't change his mind, they started speaking harshly to him and threw him out of the chariot so roughly that he dislocated his leg when he got down. But he wasn't bothered and acted like nothing happened, hurrying forward eagerly. He was taken to the stadium, where the noise was so loud that no one could hear anything.
Polycarp Refuses to Denounce Christ
As Polycarp was entering the stadium, he heard a voice from heaven saying, "Be strong, and show yourself a man, O Polycarp!" No one saw who spoke, but our fellow believers who were there heard the voice. When Polycarp was brought forward, the crowd got really loud upon hearing that he had been captured. As he got closer, the proconsul asked if he was Polycarp. When he confirmed he was, the proconsul tried to convince him to deny Christ, saying things like, "Have respect for your old age," and other customary phrases like, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, 'Away with the Atheists.'" But Polycarp, looking sternly at the crowd of wicked pagans in the stadium, waved his hand towards them, and with a sigh, looked up to heaven and said, "Away with the Atheists." When the proconsul kept pushing him, saying, "Swear, and I will set you free; insult Christ," Polycarp replied, "Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He never did me any harm: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"
Polycarp Declares Himself a Christian
When the proconsul insisted again and said, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar," he replied,
Since you're so insistent that I should swear by the fortune of Caesar, and act like you don't know who I am, let me tell you straight up: I am a Christian. If you want to learn about Christian beliefs, just set a date, and I'll explain them to you.
The proconsul responded, "Convince the people." But Polycarp replied,
I thought it was appropriate to share my beliefs with you because we're taught to respect the powers and authorities established by God, as long as it doesn't harm us (Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1). However, I don't think these others deserve any explanation from me.
Threats don't bother Polycarp at all
The proconsul then said to him, "I have wild animals ready; I'll throw you to them unless you change your mind."
But he replied, "Go ahead and call them, because we don't usually change our minds about doing good to start doing something bad. It's better for me to switch from doing something wrong to doing what's right."
But again the proconsul said to him, "I'll have you burned with fire since you aren't afraid of the wild beasts, if you don't change your mind."
But Polycarp said, "You threaten me with a fire that burns for just an hour and then goes out, but you don't know about the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment that's waiting for the ungodly. So why wait? Do what you want."
Polycarp is Sentenced to be Burned
While he was speaking these and many other similar things, he was filled with confidence and joy, and his face was full of grace. Instead of looking troubled by what was said to him, he appeared calm, which amazed the proconsul. The proconsul then sent his herald to announce three times in the stadium, "Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian." After this announcement, the entire crowd, both non-believers and Jews living in Smyrna, erupted in uncontrollable anger, shouting loudly, "This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the one who has destroyed our gods, teaching many not to sacrifice or worship them." As they shouted, they urged Philip the Asiarch to release a lion on Polycarp. However, Philip replied that it wasn't allowed since the wild beast shows were already over. Then, they all agreed to demand that Polycarp be burned alive. This fulfilled a vision he had about his pillow, where he saw it on fire while praying. He had turned to the faithful with him and said prophetically, "I must be burnt alive."
The Funeral Pyre is Set Up
This happened even faster than it was talked about. Crowds quickly gathered wood and sticks from the shops and baths, with the Jews, as usual, eagerly helping out. When the funeral pyre was ready, Polycarp took off all his clothes and loosened his belt, even trying to remove his sandals—something he wasn't used to doing because everyone in the community was always eager to be the first to touch him. Due to his good character, he was admired for all his virtues even before his martyrdom. They surrounded him with the materials prepared for the pyre. But when they were about to nail him down, he said, "Leave me as I am; for He that gives me strength to endure the fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to remain without moving in the pile."
Polycarp's Prayer
They didn't nail him at that moment; they just tied him up. With his hands behind him, bound like a prized ram chosen from a large flock for sacrifice, ready to be a pleasing offering to God, he looked up to heaven and said,
"O Lord God Almighty, Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have come to know You, the God of angels, powers, and all creation, and of all the righteous who live before You, I thank You for considering me worthy of this day and this moment. I am grateful to be counted among Your martyrs, sharing in the cup of Christ, leading to the resurrection of eternal life for both soul and body, through the incorruption given by the Holy Spirit. May I be accepted today before You as a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice, just as You, the ever-truthful God, have planned, revealed to me beforehand, and now fulfilled. Therefore, I praise You for everything, I bless You, I glorify You, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, with whom, to You, and the Holy Spirit, be glory now and forever. Amen."
Polycarp is unharmed by the fire
After he said "amen" and finished his prayer, the people assigned to the task lit the fire. As the flames roared with intense heat, we, who were there to witness it, saw an incredible miracle and have been kept safe so we can share what happened with others. The fire formed itself into an arch, like the sail of a ship filled with wind, surrounding the martyr's body in a circle. Inside, he didn't look like burning flesh but more like bread being baked or gold and silver glowing in a furnace. We also noticed a sweet smell coming from the fire, like frankincense or some other precious spices burning.
Polycarp is stabbed with a dagger
Eventually, when those evil men realized that the fire couldn't destroy his body, they ordered an executioner to come close and stab him with a dagger. When he did this, a dove appeared, and a large amount of blood flowed out, putting out the fire. Everyone was amazed at the difference between the non-believers and the chosen ones, among whom this remarkable Polycarp was included. In our own time, he was an apostolic and prophetic teacher and the bishop of the Catholic Church in Smyrna. Every word he spoke either has come true or will come true in the future.
The Christians Aren't Allowed to Have Polycarp's Body
When the enemy of the righteous, the jealous and evil one, saw how remarkable his martyrdom was and thought about the pure life he had lived from the start, realizing he was now crowned with immortality and had clearly received his reward, he tried his hardest to make sure we couldn't keep any memory of him, even though many wanted to and wished to have his holy remains. To achieve this, he convinced Nicetes, Herod's father and Alce's brother, to ask the governor not to allow his body to be buried. He claimed that if we did, we might abandon the one who was crucified and start worshiping this martyr instead. He said this because the Jews, who were watching us, urged him to. They didn't understand that we could never abandon Christ, who suffered for the salvation of those to be saved all over the world (the blameless one for sinners), nor could we worship anyone else. We worship Him as the Son of God, but we honor the martyrs as disciples and followers of the Lord, loving them for their incredible devotion to their King and Master. We hope to be their companions and fellow disciples too!
Polycarp's Body is Burned
Seeing the conflict stirred up by the Jews, the centurion placed the body in the fire and burned it. Later, we collected his bones, which we considered more valuable than the finest jewels and purer than gold, and we placed them in a suitable location. Whenever we have the chance, we gather there with joy and happiness, trusting that the Lord will allow us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom. This is both to remember those who have completed their journey and to inspire and prepare those who are still following in their footsteps.
Celebrating the Martyr Polycarp
This is the story of the blessed Polycarp, who was the twelfth person martyred in Smyrna, including those from Philadelphia. He holds a special place in everyone's memory, even being talked about by non-Christians. Polycarp wasn't just a remarkable teacher; he was also an outstanding martyr. Everyone wants to follow his example because his martyrdom was completely in line with the Gospel of Christ. By patiently standing up to an unjust governor, he earned the crown of immortality. Now, he joyfully glorifies God alongside the apostles and all the righteous in heaven. He praises our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls, the Leader of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church worldwide.
This letter should be passed on to the brothers and sisters.
Since you asked us to give you a detailed account of what really happened, we've sent you this summary through our brother Marcus. After you've read this letter, please share it with the brothers and sisters who are farther away, so they too can praise the Lord for choosing His own servants. To the one who can bring us all into His everlasting kingdom by His grace and goodness through His only Son, Jesus Christ, to Him be glory, honor, power, and majesty forever. Amen. Say hello to all the believers. The people with us send their greetings to you, and Evarestus, who wrote this letter, along with everyone in his household, also send their greetings.
The Date of the Martyrdom
Now, the blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second day of the month Xanthicus, just as it began, which was the seventh day before the Kalends of May, on the great Sabbath, at around 2 PM. He was captured by Herod, with Philip the Trallian as the high priest and Statius Quadratus as the proconsul, but Jesus Christ remains the eternal King, to whom be glory, honor, majesty, and an everlasting throne, from generation to generation. Amen.
Greetings
We hope you're doing great, friends, as you live by the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit, for saving His chosen ones. Just like the blessed Polycarp, who suffered following His example, may we also be found in the kingdom of Jesus Christ!
Caius copied these writings from Irenæus's version (Irenæus was a student of Polycarp), and he was personally close to Irenæus. I, Socrates, then copied them in Corinth from Caius's version. May grace be with you all.
And I, Pionius, wrote this from an earlier copy, after thoroughly checking it. The blessed Polycarp revealed it to me through a revelation, as I'll explain later. I gathered these writings just as they were about to be lost over time, hoping that the Lord Jesus Christ will also bring me into His heavenly kingdom with His chosen ones. To Him, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory forever and ever. Amen.