Commemorated: February 23 (March 8)
A disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, one of the Apostolic Fathers. A spiritual mentor and defender of the purity of the faith against heresies. One of his disciples was Irenaeus of Lyons, hieromartyr.
Life
Saint Polycarp, born in the latter half of the 1st century, was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian. Orphaned in childhood, he was adopted by a Christian woman named Callista. After her death, he distributed all his possessions to the poor and adopted an ascetic way of life. Upon becoming Bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp combated Gnosticism and was the most revered theologian in Asia Minor.
He was followed by many disciples, including Irenaeus of Lyons, who, having settled in the West, became a conduit of Polycarp’s theology in Gaul and Italy. Irenaeus writes of Polycarp:
"Polycarp, who was not only instructed by the apostles and conversed with many who had seen our Lord, but was also appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna by the apostles in Asia—whom I also saw in my early youth, for he lived a long time and in extreme old age departed this life in a most glorious and noble martyrdom—he always taught the things he had learned from the apostles, which the Church hands down, and which alone are true. To these things all the churches in Asia testify, as do also those who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time—a man who was of much greater reliability and a more steadfast witness of truth than Valentinus, Marcion, and the rest of the heretics. When he came to Rome under Anicetus, he turned many away from the aforementioned heretics to the Church of God, proclaiming that he had received from the apostles this one and only truth, which is handed down by the Church."
(Against Heresies, Book III, Ch. 3.4)
One of the epistles of Ignatius the God-Bearer was addressed to St. Polycarp. Only one work by Polycarp himself has survived—the Epistle to the Philippians. The hieromartyr Irenaeus of Lyons writes of it in the 2nd century:
"There is also a very powerful epistle of Polycarp written to the Philippians, from which those who wish to do so and are concerned for their salvation may learn the character of his faith and the preaching of the truth. Likewise, the Church in Ephesus, founded by Paul and having John among them until the time of Trajan, is a true witness of the apostolic tradition."
(Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, III, 4)
He participated in a dispute with Pope Anicetus over the date of Pascha (the churches of Asia Minor celebrated it on the 14th of Nisan, while the Roman churches observed it on the first Sunday after the 14th of Nisan). However, the dispute remained unresolved, though the two bishops parted as friends. At the age of 86, he was arrested and, refusing to renounce Christ, was burned alive. His martyrdom was described in detail in the Encyclical Epistle of the Church of Smyrna.
The same epistle records Polycarp’s words that he had served Christ for 86 years:
"The proconsul insisted, saying, ‘Swear, and I will release you; revile Christ.’ But Polycarp replied, ‘For eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’"
(Encyclical Epistle of the Church of Smyrna on Polycarp, 45)
Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 258–339) writes about Polycarp, mentioning and quoting his Epistle to the Philippians:
"At that time, Polycarp was particularly notable in Asia, a companion of the apostles who was appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna by those who had seen the Lord and served Him.
<...>
13. Polycarp also recalls [Ignatius the God-Bearer] in his Epistle to the Philippians. Let us cite his words: ‘I urge you all to obey and endure. You have seen with your own eyes not only the blessed Ignatius, Rufus, and Zosimus, but also others from among you, Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. Believe that they did not run in vain but in faith and righteousness and are now in the place prepared for them by the Lord, with whom they also suffered, for they loved not this present world but Him who died for us and was raised by God for our sake.’ And further, he adds:
14. ‘You, like Ignatius, wrote to me that if anyone is going to Syria, he should take your letters as well. I will do so when opportunity arises, either myself or through someone who will also be your messenger.
15. The letters of Ignatius, which he sent to me, and any others I had, I have sent to you, as you requested. They are appended to this letter. You will derive great benefit from them, for they contain faith, patience, and instruction in all things pertaining to the Lord.’"
(Church History, Book 3, 36)
Hymnography
Troparion (Tone 4)
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation,
O inspired one of God;
by teaching the word of truth without error,
you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Polycarp, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion (Tone 1)
Through virtues, you offered spiritual fruit to the Lord,
therefore, you were glorified as a worthy hierarch, wise Polycarp.
Today, we who have been enlightened by your words
extol in song your praise-worthy memory,
there-by giving glory to the Lord.
Faith
Interpretation of Scripture in accordance with Tradition
"Whoever does not acknowledge the testimony of the Cross is of the devil; and whoever distorts the words of the Lord to suit his own desires and says there is neither resurrection nor judgment, such a one is the firstborn of Satan. Therefore, let us forsake the vain and false teachings of many and turn to the word delivered to us from the beginning."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 31-32)
Obedience to the Clergy
"Therefore, let us abstain from all these things and submit to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ, while virgins must live with a blameless and pure conscience."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 24)
The Departed Saints Already Dwell in Heaven with Christ
"For he (Polycarp – ed.), having by patience overcome the unrighteous ruler, thus received the crown of incorruption and now rejoices with the Apostles and all the righteous, glorifying God the Father Almighty and blessing our Lord, the Savior of our souls and bodies and the Shepherd of the universal Catholic Church.
[...]
We desire, brethren, that you may grow strong and walk according to the Gospel word of Jesus Christ, with Whom be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit for the salvation of His holy elect! Just as the blessed Polycarp accomplished his martyrdom, may we too be found following in his footsteps in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ."
(Encyclical Epistle of the Church of Smyrna on Polycarp 75-85)
The Coming of Christ to Judge the Living and the Dead
"To Whom all things in heaven and on earth are subject, Whom every living creature serves, Who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and from Whom God will demand the blood of those who do not believe in Him."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 6)
All Will Be Judged
"Therefore, if we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we too must forgive. For we all stand before the eyes of the Lord and God; each of us must ‘appear before the judgment seat of Christ’ and ‘each… shall give account of himself’ (Rom. 14:10, 12)."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 27)
Eternal Torment
"Polycarp answered: ‘You threaten a fire that burns for an hour and is soon extinguished, for you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Do what you will.’"
(Encyclical Epistle of the Church of Smyrna on Polycarp 51)
Avoiding Those Who Lead Astray
"Let us be zealous for what is good, let us keep away from scandals, from false brethren, and from those who hypocritically bear the name of the Lord and lead foolish men astray."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 29)
Fasting
"Let us ‘be sober in prayer’ (1 Pet. 4:7), persevere in fasting, and in our prayers beseech the all-seeing God ‘not to lead us into temptation’ (Matt. 6:13), as the Lord said: ‘The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak’ (Matt. 26:41; Mark 14:38)."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 32)
Prayer for Authorities
"Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, rulers, and princes, even for those who persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the Cross, so that the fruit of your faith may be evident to all, and you yourselves may be perfect."
(Polycarp to the Philippians 54)
The Faithful Venerated Polycarp
"When the pyre was ready, Polycarp removed all his garments, loosened his belt, and even attempted to remove his sandals—something he had never done before, for the faithful always hastened to touch his body, since he was already greatly honored for his virtuous life even before his martyrdom."
(Encyclical Epistle of the Church of Smyrna on Polycarp 59)
The Faithful Honored the Relics of Polycarp
"But when the envious, slanderous, and wicked adversary of the righteous saw the greatness of his martyrdom and his blameless life from the beginning, [when he saw] that he was crowned with the crown of incorruption and received an indisputable reward, he took care that we should not obtain his body, though many desired to do so and to possess a portion of his holy relics. Thus, he persuaded Nicetas, the father of Herod and brother of Alce, to approach the proconsul and request that the body not be handed over, lest, as he said, we abandon the Crucified One and begin to worship this man. This was said at the instigation and urging of the Jews, who watched as we sought to retrieve him from the pyre, not understanding that we could never forsake Christ—Who suffered for the salvation of all who are saved in the world, the Sinless for sinners—nor worship any other. For we worship Him as the Son of God, but we rightly love the martyrs as disciples and imitators of the Lord for their unwavering devotion to their King and Teacher. May God grant that we too may be their companions and fellow disciples! The centurion, seeing the persistence of the Jews, placed the body in the open, as was their custom, and burned it. And so we afterward gathered his bones, more precious than costly gems and finer than gold, and laid them in a fitting place. There, if possible, the Lord will grant us to assemble in joy and gladness to celebrate the birthday of His martyr, in memory of those who contended before us and for the instruction and preparation of those to come. Such was the account of the blessed Polycarp. Though he was the twelfth martyr in Smyrna (along with those from Philadelphia), he is remembered above all, so that even the pagans everywhere speak of him. He was not only a renowned teacher but also an outstanding martyr, whose martyrdom, accomplished in accordance with the Gospel of Christ, all desire to emulate."
(Encyclical Epistle of the Church of Smyrna on Polycarp 75-85)