St. Polycarp of Smyrna
Have you ever wished that you could have been a disciple of one of the apostles? That is what Polycarp was able to do. As a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist, he was able to sit at the feet of the apostles and hear their stories first-hand. He also had the privilege of walking with those who had walked with Jesus himself.
Polycarp AD 69 – 155 was a Christian bishop of Smyrna. In “The Martyrdom of Polycarp ”, we learn that he died a martyr at the age of 86, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. Polycarp is also known for his Letter to the Philippians where he quotes the scriptures over 90 times in a very short letter.
Polycarp of Smyrna is regarded as a saint and Church Father in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. Polycarp is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers , along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius Of Antioch .
Polycarp was praised for his holiness. In the words of St. Ignatius in his “Epistle to Polycarp ":
[…] your mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify His name that I have been thought worthy to behold your blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God!
One of the benefits of reading the writings of St. Polycarp is that it can give us a deeper appreciation for the life of a Christian. In times of persecution and martyrdom, it is important to have examples of Christians who have lived faithfully and courageously. St. Polycarp is one such example.
Reading Polycarp’s writings also help us to develop the character traits that we need in order to stand strong in times of trial. Polycarp was known for his humility, gentleness, and love for others, even when they were enemies.
Finally, Polycarp’s writings can help us to grow in our understanding of the Christian faith. He was well-educated and had a deep knowledge of Scripture. Exploring how he interprets Scriptures by examining how he reference and links to it is an illuminating pursuit. May you be bless by his writings.
