Saint of the Day – 23 February – St Polycarp (c 69 – c 155) Martyr and Father of the Church

Saint of the Day – 23 February – St Polycarp of Smyrna – (69-155) – Martyr, Apostolic Church Father and Bishop of Smyrna, Writer, Preacher, Theologian – Patron against dysentery and earache.   Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor), Polycarp was martyred between 155 and 167.   His name means “much fruit”.

It is recorded by St Irenaeus, who heard him speak in his youth and by Tertullian, that he had been a disciple of John the Apostle.    Saint Jerome wrote that Polycarp was a disciple of John and that John had ordained him bishop of Smyrna.

With Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers.   The sole surviving work attributed to his authorship is his Letter to the Philippians and a letter addressed to him by Ignatius of Antioch, he is known especially for the account of his martyrdom, the first such account to be written after the narrative of Stephen’s martyrdom in the Acts of the Apostles.   This extraordinary narrative was composed shortly after Polycarp’s death.   Many passages should be quoted here, like this one, where the governor invites Polycarp to curse Christ.   Here is the bishop’s response:

“For eighty six years I have been His servant and He has done me no wrong.   How can I blaspheme against my king and saviour?”   

This text is also the first one where we find a mention of the cult of relics and of the celebration of the anniversary of the martyrdom:  “Collecting the remains that were dearer to us than precious stones and finer than gold, we buried them in a fitting spot. Gathering there, so far as we can, in joy and gladness, we will be allowed by the Lord to celebrate the anniversary day of his martyrdom, both as a memorial for those who have already fought the contest and for the training and preparation of those who will do so one day.”