Martyrdom According to the Gospel
It is difficult to overstate Polycarp’s importance to the early spread of the gospel. His role of handing down the faith to the second generation of Christians and fulfilling his decades of witness in his body by sharing in a death like the Lord’s led a new generation of Christians, through the Holy Spirit, in fearless confession amidst an increasingly hostile climate.
Taking a closer look at Polycarp’s life, we begin to see why his commemoration immediately took root following his death. The second-century bishop of Symrna was born around AD 70 and was thought to have interacted with the Apostle John.
Tradition states that after Pentecost and when the Apostles dispersed to preach the Gospel, St. John the Apostle preached in Ephesus (modern-day Syria). It was there that he encountered a young St. Polycarp, who was later ordained and sent to Smyrna, fifty miles to the north. St. Ignatius was also have said to been a friend of Polycarp’s at the time and another famous Christian who met St. John.
After St. Polycarp’s establishment as part of the church in Smyrna he became bishop, sometime before the turn of the century. This is where he became connected with other great saints, such as St. Irenaeus, who with his studies under Polycarp kept on the tradition of passing down the faith from one generation to the next, ensuring that the original apostles were still connected to the next iterations of leaders of the Church. Ignatius’s famous writing to Polycarp comes while he is en route to his own martyrdom in Rome. The letter speaks highly of Polycarp, and Ignatius also takes the opportunity to exhort him to exercise his authority as bishop and continue to write letters to the churches of the time as a way to educate and encourage them.
Only one of Polycarp’s letters survives to this day, a response to the church in Philippi. In it Polycarp demonstrates his conviction that having a right belief is always married to right practice, and if the Philippians are living in accord with the Gospel, they also believe accordingly. One without the other is not genuine.
Although Polycarp lived a full 86 years, it is rightly his death that we remember most commonly today and that is recorded within its own letter from the Church of Smyrna called The Martyrdom of Polycarp. His death is timely as another so-called Christian “Quintus” had sought his own glory through martyrdom but apostatized instead. His failed example was a threat to Christian witness and brought fear upon the Church.
Polycarp, on the other hand, demonstrates what is praised as “a martyrdom according to the gospel.” The letter explains: his martyrdom was a matter of divine calling, was concerned for the salvation of others, and displayed endurance in the midst of suffering. All three of these qualities are Polycarp’s godly example, which the Holy Spirit would confirm not just to strengthen the Church but also to supply a witness to the pagans who marveled at his faith.
A Brief History
From the moment of Polycarp’s martyrdom, the Church gathered what they could of his body (since only his bones remained after his persecutors cremated him) and buried it in a place where they could gather to remember the man who had shared in the incorruptibility of the Spirit. They wrote, “as we are able, with joy and gladness, the Lord will permit us to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom in commemoration of those who have already fought in the contest and also for the training and preparation of those who will do so in the future.”
Here as The Martyrdom draws to a close, we receive this testament to the impact Polycarp had immediately after his death and for centuries to come as an example in life and in death. As an edifying remembrance and in keeping with St. Polycarp’s faith, the Lutheran Church commemorates him on the day of his heavenly birthday, his martyrdom on February 23rd.
Collect
Have regard for our weakness, Almighty God: and since the weight of our own deeds bears us down, let the faithful example of Blessed Polycarp, Thy Bishop and Martyr, direct us to Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Epistle
Gospel
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. James Bushur on First and Second Century Martyr Polycarp
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Holmes, Michael. Apostolic Fathers. Baker Publishing Group. 2006.
Images:
1. St. John Chrysostom, Jan Józef Filipowicz, Poland, ca. 1710-1767/1770.
2. St. Polycarp of Smyrna Holding a Palm, Unknown, France, 1200.
3. “Ss Polycarp, Vincent of Saragossa, Pancratius and Chrysogonus” from the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Unknown, Italy, 6th century.
