Polycarp, one of the Apostolic Fathers, served as the Bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor. He became a martyr at the age of 86. One of the seven letters written by St. Ignatius of Antioch was addressed to him. Around the year 135, Polycarp wrote a letter to the Church in Philippi, in which he explained how Christians should live their lives. Following Polycarp’s martyrdom, the Church in Smyrna prepared a detailed account of his life and death. These three writings together illuminate the greatness of Polycarp’s character.
In Ignatius’s letter, Polycarp’s character is described as follows: “Continue to walk in love with everyone, in a peaceful manner, just as you have been doing.” The letter to the Philippians is comprised of fourteen chapters. In this letter, Polycarp warns the believers to remain vigilant against the false teachings of Marcion. He discusses the practices that Christians must observe and advises that priests should be compassionate and merciful in guiding those who have gone astray. Additionally, he counsels not to neglect the sick, widows, orphans, and the poor. Young people, he urges, should maintain purity and avoid all unnatural sexual practices. Both Irenaeus and Tertullian advise that Polycarp learned the Gospel from the teachings of St. John the Apostle.
The “Martyrdom of Polycarp” is the first detailed and comprehensive account of a martyrdom in Church history. It clearly states that a person becomes a true participant in the Lord’s suffering and death through martyrdom. Polycarp’s death is presented in relation to the Lord’s suffering. The account details that “when they saw that it was impossible to burn his body with fire, they ordered him to be killed with a sword. When this was done, blood flowed out so abundantly that it extinguished the flames.” The crowd marveled at the difference between the chosen and the unchosen. The later part of the account includes prayers focused on the Trinity, which is a notable theological feature of this writing. This document clearly shows that honoring martyrs, commemorating their memory, and venerating their remains were practices already established in the first century.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Kuzhuppil
