Early Career
St. Polycarp was born at Smyrna, (what is now the city of Izmir, west coast of Turkey) towards the latter end of Nero's reign, 69AD. At an early age, he was taught by the apostle John, and was made deacon then catechist. Later, he was consecrated Bishop of Smyrna by St. John and other apostolic persons.
Courage under Persecution
Not long after the death of St. John, in 107 AD the persecutions against Christians were renewed, under the reign of Trajan. Among those sentenced to death was Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch. As he was transported to Rome to be executed, he was permitted to visit Smyrna. Polycarp exhorted Ignatius to hold fast. Ignatius reciprocated his wishes, exhortations as well as prayers and commended the Church along with the people of Antioch to his watch.
About this time, there came a controversy between the Eastern and Western Churches about the observation of Easter. To patch up the resulting divisions, St. Polycarp visited Rome in the year 154. During his stay, he spent much of his time convincing gainsayers and testifying the truth of the Christian doctrines handed by the Apostles. The piety and zeal of the early Christians was frequently disturbed with heretical doctrines and schism which corrupted the Christian faith. The pagans called the Christians “atheists” but Polycarp made clear to them that the real atheists are those who don’t believe in the one true God.
A Share in the Passion
As the persecution of Christians has been going on, search parties have been looking for the Bishop. Although he was warned of this danger and could have escaped, he decided to stay, saying the will of the Lord be done. Hearing his persecutor’s downstairs, he went down to greet them with a cheerful and gentle countenance. Everyone was astonished at his courage and peaceful disposition and wondered why anyone should wish to apprehend this poor old man. Perfectly calm, he ordered a table to be set for them to eat and drink, requesting that he be given one hour for solemn prayer. He was so filled with the grace of God that he prayed nearly two hours, commending to God everyone who had crossed his path – rich & poor, small or great – and the state of the whole Catholic Church throughout the world. Everyone who heard him was greatly amazed and grieved that so divine and venerable an old man should be put to death.
He was taken to Herod and his father Nicetus (Niketas), both civil officers. They tried to persuade him to renounce his faith in Christ to no avail then began to make threats and threw him from the carriage with such violence, as to scrape his shin. But undaunted, he hastened on to the place of trial. Before the proconsul and surrounded with guards, Polycarp proclaimed, “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong,” said Polycarp. “How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
All these time, Polycarp radiated with joy and courage that the proconsul had to send his herald into the middle of the arena to announce, “Polycarp has declared that he is a Christian.” At the herald’s announcement, the angry crowd roared, insisting that he be burned.
The fire took the shape of a vaulted room, circling around Polycarp as if to protect him while the scent of incense filled the air. Seeing that his body was not consumed by the fire, Polycarp was stabbed by a dagger. A huge amount of blood oozes out to extinguish the fire and his spirit in a form of a dove came out.
Patronage and Feast Day:
St. Polycarp is recognized as the patron saint of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir), the city where he served as bishop. His feast day is celebrated on February 23rd in the Roman Catholic Church and on February 23rd or 26th in some Eastern Orthodox traditions.
Prayer to St. Polycarp:
Dear St. Polycarp, faithful bishop and fearless martyr, we turn to you in our times of trial and persecution. Like you, we face challenges to our faith and beliefs, and we seek your intercession and guidance. Help us to remain steadfast and unwavering in our commitment to Christ, just as you did in your lifetime. Pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to stand up for the truth and endure any hardships that come our way. Through your intercession, may we grow in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
Reflection:
*St. Polycarp's life and martyrdom remind us of the importance of standing firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity. His example teaches us that true discipleship requires unwavering commitment to Christ and His teachings. In our own lives, we may encounter challenges, persecution, or doubt, but we can draw inspiration from St. Polycarp's courage and faithfulness. Let us reflect on how we can remain true to our beliefs and trust in God's providence, no matter the circumstances. St. Polycarp's legacy continues to inspire us to live authentic and faithful Christian lives.
*St Polycarp followed the Lord Jesus into his Passion, knowing that he would rise with him in his Resurrection.
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