Today is the Feast Day of St. Polycarp
Bishop and Martyr of the Church
The following letter was written by the church of Smyrna recounting the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, an early Christian bishop and martyr. Polycarp was a revered figure in the early church, having been a disciple of the apostle John. As bishop of Smyrna (located in modern day Turkey), Polycarp faithfully shepherded his flock amidst periodic persecution against Christians under the Roman empire. Around 155 AD, when Polycarp was over 80 years old, a new wave of persecution broke out and Polycarp was arrested by Roman authorities. He was brought to trial and given the chance to curse Christ and offer a sacrifice to Caesar to save his life. Polycarp bravely refused. As a result, the Romans sentenced him to death by burning at the stake.
The excerpt presented here comes from a letter written by the church of Smyrna after Polycarp’s execution, relaying the events of his martyrdom. In vivid and dramatic detail, the letter describes Polycarp’s final prayers before entering the flames, as well his astonishing courage and tranquility in the face of death. Of particular note is the miraculous description of the fire enfolding Polycarp’s body while leaving it unharmed, as if physically protecting him. Through this poignant depiction, we gain insight into both the fortitude displayed by this early church father in dying for his faith, as well as the deep reverence in which the early church held their martyrs.
From a Letter on the Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp by the Church of Smyrna
A rich and pleasing sacrifice
When the pyre was ready, Polycarp took off all his clothes and loosened his under-garment. He made an effort also to remove his shoes, though he had been unaccustomed to this, for the faithful always vied with each other in their haste to touch his body. Even before his martyrdom he had received every mark of honor in tribute to his holiness of life.
There and then he was surrounded by the material for the pyre. When they tried to fasten him also with nails, he said: “Leave me as I am. The one who gives me strength to endure the fire will also give me strength to stay quite still on the pyre, even without the precaution of your nails.” So they did not fix him to the pyre with nails but only fastened him instead. Bound as he was, with hands behind his back, he stood like a mighty ram, chosen out for sacrifice from a great flock, a worthy victim made ready to be offered to God.
Looking up to heaven, he said: “Lord, almighty God, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have come to the knowledge of yourself, God of angels, of powers, of all creation, of all the race of saints who live in your sight, I bless you for judging me worthy of this day, this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ, your anointed one, and so rise again to eternal life in soul and body, immortal through the power of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among the martyrs in your presence today as a rich and pleasing sacrifice. God of truth, stranger to falsehood, you have prepared this and revealed it to me and now you have fulfilled your promise.
“I praise you for all things, I bless you, I glorify you through the eternal priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him be glory to you, together with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.”
When he had said “Amen” and finished the prayer, the officials at the pyre lit it. But, when a great flame burst out, those of us privileged to see it witnessed a strange and wonderful thing. Indeed, we have been spared in order to tell the story to others. Like a ship’s sail swelling in the wind, the flame became as it were a dome encircling the martyr’s body. Surrounded by the fire, his body was like bread that is baked, or gold and silver white-hot in a furnace, not like flesh that has been burnt. So sweet a fragrance came to us that it was like that of burning incense or some other costly and sweet-smelling gum.
Let us pray
God of all creation, who were pleased to give the Bishop Saint Polycarp a place in the company of the Martyrs, grant, through his intercession, that, sharing with him in the chalice of Christ, we may rise through the Holy Spirit to eternal life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.