Quote/s of the Day – 26 January – St Polycarp (69-155) Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor), Apostolic Father
“Eighty and six years have I served Christ,
nor has He ever done me any harm.
How, then, could I blaspheme my King, Who saved Me?
…. I bless Thee for deigning me worthy
of this day and this hour
that I may be among Thy Martyrs
and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Beware of greed and remain pure and just.
Restrain yourself from every vice.
He who cannot restrain himself,
how will he be able to teach others restraint?”
“Help one another with the generosity of the Lord
and despise no-one.
When you have the opportunity to do good,
do not let it go by.”
Prayer Before His Martyrdom
By St Polycarp (69–155)
Lord God Almighty,
Father of Jesus Christ,
Thy dear Son,
through Whom we have come to know Thee,
God of the Angels and Powers,
God of all creation,
God of those who live in Thy Presence,
the race of the just,
I bless Thee.
Thou hast considered me worthy
of this day and hour,
worthy to be numbered with the Martyrs
and to drink the cup of Thy Anointed One,
and thus to rise and live forever,
body and soul,
in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
AnaStpaul 