On Saint Polycarp and his Martyrdom (Fr. George Florovsky)

 

By Fr. George Florovsky

St. Polycarp

St. Irenaeus tells us that he sat at the feet of St. Polycarp, that St. Polycarp had been personally acquainted with St. John, that St. Polycarp was consecrated bishop by the apostles — Tertullian claims by St. John —, that St. Polycarp was held in great esteem, and that he was the last witness of the Apostolic Age. That he was held in great esteem is attested by his visit to Rome to discuss ecclesiastical matters with Pope Anicetus, especially the problem of the date of celebration of Easter. It was in Rome where St. Polycarp apparently met Marcion. Marcion, it is claimed, asked St. Polycarp if he recognized him whereupon St. Polycarp is recorded as having replied: "I recognize you as the first-born of Satan."

The Epistle of Ignatius of Antioch to Polycarp of Smyrna

Ignatius, who is also called Theophoros, to Polycarp, Bishop of the Church of the Smyrnaeans, or rather, who has, as his own bishop, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: abundance of greetings.

1. Having obtained good proof that your mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I give exceeding glory that I have been thought worthy to behold your blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat you, by the grace with which you are clothed, to press forward in your course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain your position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord does with you. Support all in love, as also you do. Give yourself to prayer without ceasing. Implore additional understanding to what you already have. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every man separately, as God enables you. Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete: where the labor is great, the gain is all the more.

A Relic of Saint Polycarp Returns to Nafpaktos (Update on the 2013 Theft)

The relic of the right hand of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna adorned for the last over 500 years the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos - Saint Polycarp in Ambelakiotissa outside Nafpaktos, where the faithful would go to receive his blessing, and many miracles took place through the grace of the sacred relic.

In 2010 I wrote an online post here at the Mystagogy Resource Center about the relic of the right hand of Saint Polycarp, and many people who read about it informed me that it was the first time that they ever heard of a relic of Saint Polycarp that still existed.

The Veneration of Saint Polycarp in Greece

After the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp in 155 AD, the Christians tried to take the relic of the Saint, but the pagan ruler of Smyrna ordered that they be burnt up in a fire that it may not serve as a source of blessing and veneration. Christians however were able to gather what they could and preserved them as a most-valuable treasure. One of these relics is the right arm of the Saint, which from 1475 was kept at the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Ampelakiotissa of Kozitsa in Nafpaktos. It was covered in silver in 1792 and was a source of blessing and healing grace to the people. In 1945 the name of the monastery changed to the Monastery of Panagia Ampelakiotissa - Saint Polycarp, and the Saint was honored in the wider region, where the parishes of the villages of Mamoulada in Nafpaktos and Malamata in Phocis bear the name of the Saint. Furthermore, in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Demetrios in Nafpaktos, Saint Polycarp is annually celebrated on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers.

The 12th Century Church of Saint Polycarp in Tanagra of Boeotia

This church dates back to the 12th century, and originally it bore the name of some saint that is unknown to us. For unknown reasons the church suffered destruction, either naturally or from invaders. During the Ottoman occupation the Turkish pasha had a caretaker who was a Christian named Polycarp. Before Polycarp died, he ordered his son to rebuild the fallen church. Obeying his command, Polycarp's son rebuilt the church and dedicated it to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, in honor of his father's patron. It's annual celebration took place on February 23rd.

Life of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

The anonymous 3rd or early 4th century Greek Life of Polycarp, attributed to Saint Pionius, recounts the life and miracles of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, describing him as a holy man and miracle worker, without referring to his martyrdom. It was written in Smyrna of Asia Minor.

1. Tracing my steps farther back and beginning with the visit of the blessed Paul to Smyrna, as I have found it in ancient copies, I will give the narration in order, thus coming down to the history of the blessed Polycarp.

2. In the days of unleavened bread Paul, coming down from Galatia, arrived in Asia, considering the repose among the faithful in Smyrna to be a great refreshment in Christ Jesus after his severe toil, and intending afterwards to depart to Jerusalem. So in Smyrna he went to visit Strataeas, who had been his hearer in Pamphylia, being a son of Eunice the daughter of Lois. These are they of whom he makes mention when writing to Timothy, saying; Of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Eunice; whence we find that Strataeas was a brother of Timothy. Paul then, entering his house and gathering together the faithful there, speaks to them concerning the Passover and the Pentecost, reminding them of the New Covenant of the offering of bread and the cup; how that they ought most assuredly to celebrate it during the days of unleavened bread, but to hold fast the new mystery of the Passion and Resurrection. For here the Apostle plainly teaches that we ought neither to keep it outside the season of unleavened bread, as the heretics do, especially the Phrygians, nor yet on the other hand of necessity on the fourteenth day: for he said nothing about the fourteenth day, but named the days of unleavened bread, the Passover, and the Pentecost, thus ratifying the Gospel.

Saint Boukolos in the "Life of Saint Polycarp"

The anonymous 3rd or early 4th century Greek Life of Polycarp, attributed to Saint Pionius, recounts the life and miracles of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, describing him as a holy man and miracle worker, without referring to his martyrdom. It was written in Smyrna of Asia Minor.

In this text the following information is given us regarding Boukolos, the predecessor of Polycarp, who was the first Bishop of Smyrna.

Saint Boukolos Resource Page

St. Boukolos of Smyrna (Feast Day - February 6)

Verses

As a shepherd of Smyrna Boukolos offered the priestly sacrifice,

He was vigilant and died protecting his flock.

Splendid sun, on the sixth the light of Boukolos departed.

 

Saint Boukolos, First Bishop of Smyrna

  

Saint Boukolos in the "Life of Saint Polycarp"

 

Saint Boukolos of Smyrna as a Model for our Lives

 

Saint Boukolos of Smyrna in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church 

  

The Turks Who Tried to Destroy the Tomb of Saint Boukolos in the 17th century

 

Saint Boukolos Church In Izmir (Smyrna) To Become Museum

 

First Divine Liturgy Since 1922 Takes Place in the Last Surviving Orthodox Church in Smyrna  

 

The Story Behind the Restoration of the Church of Saint Boukolos in Smyrna

 

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Resource Page

 

The Turks Who Tried to Destroy the Tomb of Saint Boukolos in the 17th century

Saint Boukolos was the first Bishop of Smyrna, who reposed in Smyrna in the early second century. Before his repose, he chose Polycarp to succeed him, and Polycarp had him buried at the cemetery of the Royal Ephesian Gate of Smyrna. He was buried where a myrtle tree began to miraculously grow when Saint Thraseas was buried there, and it was at the point where the feet of Saint Boukolos's feet were located, and it covered over his grave to his head. This tree had miraculous properties, and when Christians went to his grave to venerate him, they would consume the leaves and fruits of the tree, and the sick would be healed and barren women would be able to bear children. In the fifth century a chapel was built next to the grave.

Saint Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians

The Letter to the Philippians by Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, is his only letter, of several, that is extant. The Letter to the Philippians is connected with the martyrdom of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Ignatius passed through Smyrna about the year 110 on his journey to Rome where he suffered martyrdom. He was well received by the Church of Smyrna, Polycarp, and its bishops before his guards took him to Philippi where again the local Christians visited him. The Philippians having learned that St. Ignatius had corresponded with St. Polycarp and other Churches in Asia Minor, subsequently requested copies of these letters from Polycarp.

Polycarp responded with his Letter to the Philippians that, in addition to being the cover letter for the copies of St. Ignatius' letters they had requested, urged the faithful of Philippi to stand fast in their faith, avoid heretical teachings, look to the example of those who were martyred such as St. Ignatius and his companions Zosimus and Rufus, and to persevere in philanthropy and good works.

Saint Polycarp and the Great Fire of Smyrna

St. Polycarp Extinguishing the Great Fire of Smyrna (Church of Saint Polycarp, Izmir)

In the Great Synaxaristes we read of the following miracle of Saint Polycarp:

It happened that a great and terrible conflagration broke out in Smyrna. Not only within the city were people and homes consumed in the path of the flames, but also in the surrounding pasturage, sown fields, vineyards, trees and animals. This evil swept the area for seven days and nights. The mindless and benighted idolaters invoked the help of their gods, but for nought did the hapless ones toil. It seemed the more they besought their images, the wrath of God and the fire intensified. 

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Resource Page

St. Polycarp of Smyrna (Feast Day - February 23)

Verses

Polycarp sacrificed himself for You O Word,

Bearing much fruit in an astonishing manner by being bound to the fire.

On the twenty-third Polycarp was burned in the flames.

 

Synaxarion of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna 

 

Life of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna 

 

The Letter of the Church of Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp

 

Saint Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians

The Epistle of Ignatius of Antioch to Polycarp of Smyrna

 

St. Irenaeus of Lyons on St. Polycarp of Smyrna  

 

On the Illustrious Saint Polycarp (St. Jerome)

 

On Saint Polycarp and his Martyrdom (Fr. George Florovsky)

 

Saint Polycarp, the Friend of the Apostles

Hieromartyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

Saint Polycarp as a Model for our Lives

February: Day 23: Holy Hieromartyr Polycarp of Smyrna

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church 

Saint Polycarp and the Great Fire of Smyrna

The Right Hand of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

Mystagogy Helps Bring Relic of St. Polycarp to Thousands in Romania

The Relic of the Arm of St. Polycarp is Stolen

The Man Who Stole the Right Arm of Saint Polycarp Identified

A Relic of Saint Polycarp Returns to Nafpaktos (Update on the 2013 Theft)

Encyclical for Pentecost and the Arrival of the Relic of Saint Polycarp in Nafpaktos

The Veneration of Saint Polycarp in Greece

The 12th Century Church of Saint Polycarp in Tanagra of Boeotia

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian as a Model for our Lives

Saint Ignatius of Antioch Resource Page

Saint Boukolos Resource Page

Saint Pionius the Hieromartyr and Those With Him

Synaxarion of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

On the twenty-third of this month [February], we commemorate the Holy Hieromartyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna.

Verses

Polycarp sacrificed himself for You O Word,

Bearing much fruit in an astonishing manner by being bound to the fire.

On the twenty-third Polycarp was burned in the flames.

Saint Polycarp was a close disciple of John the Theologian and Evangelist, together with Ignatius the God-bearer. He became Bishop of Smyrna after Saint Boukolos, who had prophesied concerning the episcopacy he was to receive. When the impious Antoninus Pius (138-161)* instituted a persecution against the Christians in the year 143, then this divine Polycarp was captured and brought before the proconsul, namely the second under the highest in command. Having boldly confessed Christ, he was perfected in martyrdom by fire, and so the blessed one received from the Lord the unfading crown of martyrdom.

The Letter of the Church of Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp

Greeting

The Church of God which sojourns at Smyrna, to the Church of God sojourning in Philomelium, and to all the congregations of the Holy and Catholic Church in every place: Mercy, peace, and love from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied.

Chapter 1. The subject of which we write

We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution, having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his martyrdom. For almost all the events that happened previously [to this one], took place that the Lord might show us from above a martyrdom becoming the Gospel. For he waited to be delivered up, even as the Lord had done, that we also might become his followers, while we look not merely at what concerns ourselves but have regard also to our neighbors. For it is the part of a true and well-founded love, not only to wish one's self to be saved, but also all the brethren.