Polycarp
Bishop of Smyrna, disciple of John the Apostle, and early Christian martyr.
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Polycarp, a Christian bishop of Smyrna who lived from AD 69 to 155, is venerated as a saint and Church Father across multiple traditions, including Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican churches. He is counted among the three chief Apostolic Fathers, alongside Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch. The only writing attributed to him that still exists is his letter to the Philippians, which weaves together references from the Septuagint.
Link to the Apostles and Jesus
According to the account of his death known as the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he was executed as a martyr: tied to a stake and set on fire, and then stabbed when the flames failed to destroy his body. Both Irenaeus and Tertullian record that Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle, a claim also repeated by Jerome, who adds that John ordained him as bishop of Smyrna. Irenaeus, who knew Polycarp personally in his youth, regarded him as a direct link to the apostolic era, having heard him recount discussions with John and others who had seen Jesus.
Visit to Anicetus
Irenaeus also wrote that Polycarp was a companion of Papias, another hearer of John, and corresponded with Ignatius of Antioch, who addressed a letter to him and mentioned him in other letters. During a visit to Rome under Bishop Anicetus, Polycarp discussed differences in the observance of Easter: he followed the Eastern practice of celebrating on the 14th of Nisan, while Anicetus followed the Western custom of the following Sunday. They did not break communion over this. Polycarp’s martyrdom is dated by Eusebius to around 166–167, though a later addition to the Martyrdom places it on 23 February during the proconsulship of Lucius Statius Quadratus, circa 155 or 156.
On the day of his death, he reportedly declared he had served Christ for eighty-six years and refused to blaspheme his King, warning his persecutors of an eternal fire. He was burned at the stake and pierced with a spear for refusing to offer incense to the Roman emperor. Some scholars, such as Hans von Campenhausen, have attributed the pastoral epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) to Polycarp, a theory that would place those books among pseudepigrapha.
Lore & Background
Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle, according to Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Jerome. Jerome writes that John ordained him as bishop of Smyrna. Irenaeus reports that Polycarp was a companion of Papias, another 'hearer of John,' and a correspondent of Ignatius of Antioch. The Martyrdom of Ignatius confirms that both had been disciples of St. John the Apostle.
On the day of his death, Polycarp reportedly said: 'Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong.' He added: 'How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.' He was burned at the stake and pierced with a spear for refusing to burn incense to the Roman emperor. The date of his death is disputed: Eusebius dates it to the reign of Marcus Aurelius, c. 166–167, while a post-Eusebian addition to the Martyrdom dates it to Saturday, 23 February, during the proconsulship of Lucius Statius Quadratus, c. 155 or 156.
Did You Know?
- The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the earliest accounts of the veneration of a saint's relics, describing his bones as 'more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold.'
- A fragment of Polycarp's right arm, kept for over 500 years at a monastery in Greece, was stolen in 2013 and never recovered, though a previously taken fragment was discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Polycarp counted among the Apostolic Fathers?
He is named one of the three chief Apostolic Fathers, alongside Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, because his direct teaching lineage from John the Apostle gave his authority a special apostolic weight. His position helped bridge the gap between the original apostolic community and the structured hierarchy of the later Church.
What did Polycarp write?
His only surviving text is the Epistle to the Philippians, a short letter addressed to a church in Philippi. It is a key primary source for understanding second-century Christian theology, liturgical practice, and how early communities remembered their apostolic roots.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Polycarp (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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