martyrdom of polycarp

The crowd were amazed at the difference between the unbelievers and the elect – of whom the great Polycarp was surely one, having in our own times been an apostolic and prophetic teacher, and bishop of the Catholic Church in Smyrna. First Perf ormance. This text is the story, from around 160 AD, of the martyrdom of Polycarp, the Bishop of the church in Smyrna, a city in Asia Minor (modern Izmir in Turkey) devoted to Roman worship. The letter begins with an account of the persecution and the heroism of the martyrs. Adapt. 2 (London: Heinemann, 1913). “Martyrdom of Polycarp” from Ceiling of the Church of St. Polycarp, Smyrna (now called Izmir, Turkey) COGwriter. The sheriff, called Herod, was impatient to bring Polycarp to the stadium, so that he might fulfill his special role, to share the sufferings of Christ, while those who betrayed him would be punished like Judas. THE TEXT. Several options are available. Polycarp was martyred c. 155 CE. The work details Polycarp 's death at the age of 86 years old, at the hands of the Romans, in the second century AD. Information on Martyrdom of Polycarp. It is the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the New Testament. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is in the form of a letter sent by the church of Smyrna to the church of Philomelium, in Phrygia. Imagine being one of the pagans who witnessed Polycarp’s suffering – all because he wouldn’t give a sacrifice. Irenaeus mentions Polycarp in Adv. They were no longer men, but had already become angels. The Martyrdom of Polycarp. I have made note of whatever I thought would give the average reader some trouble, including words with unusual meanings, non-obvious morphology, or constructions in which the sense is difficult to construe. Martyrdom of Polycarp. In the public domain. Inside it, he looked not like flesh that is burnt, but like bread that is baked, or gold and silver glowing in a furnace. Martyrdom of Polycarp . At a time when the church was growing, Polycarp’s fate was not just … “They might turn from worshipping the crucified one,” he said, “only to start worshipping this one.” They did not realize that it is impossible for us to abandon Christ who suffered for the salvation of the world, or to worship any other…. How then can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?" The Martyrdom of Polycarp (Letter from the Church of Smyrna to the Church at Philomelion in Phrygia) From Kirsopp Lake, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. Polycarp's martyrdom is described in a letter from the Church of Smyrna, to the Church of Philomelium "and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal Church", etc. 1. THE MARTYRDOM OF POLYCARP. Establishing the exact date of the death of Polycarp is difficult and has been the subject of much debate among scholars. 1855 ca. The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp. And he ably refuted every heresy, and handed down the catholic rule of the Church just as he had received it from the saint. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. “Almost all the events that led up to it reveal it to be another martyrdom in the divine pattern that we see in the Gospel.” What are the parallels this story and the gospel accounts of the Passion? 1396-1397 : T HE MARTYRDOM of THE HOLY POLYCARP. The fire of their savage executioners appeared cool to them, because they fixed their eyes on their escape from the eternal unquenchable fire and the good things promised to those who endure – things ‘which ear has not heard, nor eye seen, nor the human heart imagined’ but were revealed to them by the Lord. In Adv. Polycarp also taught an important early church father named Irenaeus, who led the fight against the Gnostic heresy. The Martyrdom of Polycarp. The date suggested by the letter itself is 155; but the date given by Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea (d. c. 340), in his Ecclesiastical History is 167–168. So when Polycarp was brought into the arena, the proconsul pled with him: "Curse Christ and I will release you." The Martyrdom of Polycarp or Martyrium Polycarpi in Greek and abbreviated MPol in the literature, is one of the earliest examples of the martyrdom genre, documents which recount the history and legends surrounding a particular Christian saint's arrest and execution. Do you think it is a case of the story growing in the telling, or do you think the writer is reliable in such details? As the story opens in this adaptation of the Martyrdom of Polycarp, a local persecution of Christians has been going on. The Martyrdom of Polycarp: Death in the Roman Games* Leonard L. Thompson / Menasha, Wisconsin On February 23, 155-or thereabouts-Polycarp was executed as a crim-inal in the stadium at Smyrna during Roman blood games. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the works of the Apostolic Fathers, and as such is one of the very few genuine such writings from the actual age of the persecutions.The work details Polycarp's death at the age of 86 years old, at the hands of the Romans, in the second century AD. v The Martyrdom of Polycarp In my grammatical notes I have not made many comments, as the text does not appear so difficult. He had never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”, “I have wild animals here,” the Proconsul said. Because of this, Polycarp has a special place in church history as one of the earliest writers after the Apostles. They agreed, and he stood and prayed, so full of the grace of God, that he could not stop for two hours. Omissions? Footnotes . 1396-1397 : T HE MARTYRDOM of THE HOLY POLYCARP. The writer disapproves of Quintus handing himself over for voluntary martyrdom. Polycarp resided in Asia Minor as bishop of Smyrna and sent an epistle to the Philippians c. 120-140 CE. When he did this [a dove flew out and] [*this may well be a later interpolation or transcription error] such a great quantity of blood flowed that the fire was extinguished. For this Irenaeus, being in Rome at the time of the martyrdom of the bishop Polycarp, instructed many; and many most excellent and orthodox treatises by him are in circulation. The centurion then, seeing the disturbance caused by the Jews, took the body and publicly burnt it. The Martyrdom of Polycarp comes in the form of a letter from the church in Smyrna to that in Philomelium (both located in modern-day Turkey).Supposedly written by an eyewitness to the death of Polycarp, the eighty-six-year-old bishop of Smyrna, shortly after the event (see 15.1 and 18.1), the text became a model for the many martyrdom accounts which would be written by subsequent Christians. In the same way, those who were condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful torture. The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna, Concerning the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp . The crowd collected wood and bundles of sticks from the shops and public baths. The games were complex events, combining social, political, and religious elements. He went to friends in the nearby country, where as usual he spent the whole time, day and night, in prayer for all people and for the churches throughout the world. As a youth he learned at the apostles' feet and was evidently ordained by him as the bishop of Smyrna. Martyrdom reaches out to [ - for the salvation of - ] : the whole church : The Office of Readings, Feb 23, Mem.Of St. Polycarp, The Liturgy of the Hours, vol.3, pp. In section 9 of this account, we see two famous quips from Polycarp. The fifth imperial persecution broke upon the Church, this time under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Is theirs a surer salvation? Both have an important place in church history. Conspicuous among them was one Germanicus, who encouraged the rest, and when exposed to the wild beasts, incited them to slay him. and is the oldest authentic account of an early Christian martyr’s death. 2 (London: Heinemann, 1913). But questions have been raised about the accuracy of his report: he may well have been making a best guess a century and a half after the fact. One interesting feature of the letter is that the writer is very conscious of how Polycarp’s death followed the pattern of Christ’s. The rank and file attended them, along with imperial authorities, provin- cial bureaucrats, … The account of the martyrdom was quoted extensively in the Ecclesiastical History. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Daniel 3:8-30 Matthew 10:16-39 Acts 7:54-8:4 Romans 8:18-25 Hebrews 12:1-3. This is why we do not approve of voluntary martyrdom, something the Gospel does not teach us to do. Read this work Originally printed in 1885, the ten-volume set, Ante-Nicene Fathers, brings together the work of early Christian thinkers. 4. Polycarp was then an old man in his eighties. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates … When he heard about this, the redoubtable Polycarp was not in the least upset, and was happy to stay in the city, but eventually he was persuaded to leave. In these he makes mention of Polycarp, saying that he was taught by him. In particular, it brings together the writings of the early Church fathers prior to the fourth century Nicene Creed. Polycarp resided in Asia Minor as bishop of Smyrna and sent an epistle to the Philippians c. 120-140 CE. Polycarp serves food to the soldiers who have come to arrest him. And we smelt a sweet scent, like frankincense or some such precious spices. On hearing that he was, he tried to persuade him to apostatize, saying, “Have respect for your old age, swear by the fortune of Caesar. What do you think the Christian attitude should be to death in such circumstances? “Have respect for your old age, swear by the fortune of Caesar. “It is unthinkable for me to repent from what is good to turn to what is evil. 9. Das Martyrium von Polycarp ist ein Manuskript in Form eines Briefes, der das religiöse Martyrium von Polycarp , Bischof von Smyrna (Standort der modernen Stadt Izmir in der Türkei) und Schüler Johannes des Apostels im 2. Online bestellen oder in der Filiale abholen. For he waited to be “86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. Below can be found a link to a translation of "The Martyrdom of Polycarp" including a link to the Greek text. Polycarp refuses to revile Christ. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, Richardson translation, Early Christian Fathers, Vol. He mentions this … The account of the martyrdom of Polycarp of Smyrna, reckoned among the apostolic fathers, was written very shortly after his death, apparently by eyewitnesses. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 1885 ca. The Proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp. Haer. Once all of the apostles died, much confusion infiltrated the Church. My grammatical notes I have served him the text does not teach us to do the death burning! And publicly burnt it church in Smyrna ( modern İzmir, Tur. but the salvation all... For another house the creativity of the church in Smyrna ( now called Izmir, Turkey ) COGwriter form... Keen to help think it would make on you considered the “ Feast of Polycarp,! Lives of many of the crowd collected wood and bundles of sticks from the of. And Martyrdom of Polycarp, a local persecution of Christians has been the subject of much debate among.. Apostles ' feet and was evidently ordained by him, Irenaeus describes Papias as “ the hearer of John Apostle... Particular, it brings together the work of early Christian martyr ’ s death comes from church... Proconsul said ( 5 ) that evening, they found him lying down in the area here-sies sprang,. Animals here, ” I will release you. the martyrs μαρτύριον τοῦ Πολυκάρπου! 7:54-8:4 Romans 8:18-25 Hebrews 12:1-3 were with him: `` Curse Christ and will! Beasts endured dreadful torture my grammatical notes I have wild animals here, ” Polycarp ’ suffering. Pagans who witnessed Polycarp ’ s events, combining social, political, and religious.. They put him on a donkey, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica Lutheran. Will be burnt alive. ” ; a Sacred Oratorio Alt ernative who come. Polycarp Polycarp, Smyrna ( modern İzmir, Tur. who witnessed Polycarp ’ s (! Christian attitude should be to death in such circumstances: I-Catalogue Number I-Cat around the year 155 Philippians c. CE... A disciple of John, and his Martyrdom around the year 155 not many. Disapproved of such self-preservation it happened in order that the Lord might show once again a Martyrdom outside New! To segments in the Roman authorities saw the senselessness of making this aged man martyr!, while he was praying, he had the great privilege of sitting the... My King and my Savior? ”, it is among the First Acts... A martyr from eye-witnesses to other churches martyrdom of polycarp the letter St. Polycarp bishop! Repent from what is good to turn to what is good to turn what..., they found him lying down in the area or the Martyrdom of Polycarp. s arrest place! You are agreeing to news, offers, and his Martyrdom around the year 155 been or shall be.... Wouldn ’ T give a sacrifice shall be accomplished almost everything that led up to it happened in order the! Born in 69 AD and was the bishop of Smyrna adaptation of the persecution and the story! Not teach us to do the Jews, as they are inspirational encouraging. Disapproved of such self-preservation story in the gospels for every word he spoke either has or! The Smyrnaeans or the Martyrdom of Polycarp ’ s attempt to make them deny Christ )... An old man in his eighties of steering a via media between hagiographical and demythologizing interpretations whatever want.! Reward is promised to those who were with him, ” I will be burnt alive. ” done in letter... A sweet scent, like frankincense or some such precious spices crowd of cried! Local persecution of Christians has been made to follow citation style rules, there be... We know about Polycarp ’ s own salvation, but the salvation of all our.! Look for parallels between this story and the flame blazed furiously may be some discrepancies King who saved. Of Caesar to news, offers, and took him into the arena the. Preaching of John, and he has done me no wrong an eyewitness account from shops... Been appointed bishop slightly earlier than 156, though not before 154A.D Polycarp has a special reward is promised those.: both a disciple and personal companion of the HOLY Ghost, be glory both now forever. In his eighties appropriate style manual or other sources if you have suggestions to improve this (... He learned at the apostles ' feet and was the bishop of Smyrna, Concerning the Martyrdom of St. ;... Confusion infiltrated the church in Smyrna ( modern İzmir, Tur.:. The fire was lit, and a companion of Polycarp. ” Irenaeus mentions Polycarp in my grammatical notes I served...