(A.D. 167.)
[Roman Martyrology. Authorities: His Acts, written by the Church of
Smyrna immediately after his martyrdom, Eusebius, &c.]
Saint Polycarp was converted to Christianity in the year 80, when quite
young, and he had the privilege of accompanying those who had seen Jesus
Christ. S. John, whose special disciple he was, consecrated him Bishop
of Smyrna in the year 96. He is supposed to be the Angel or Bishop of
the Church of Smyrna, to whom alone, in the messages recorded in the
Apocalypse, did Jesus Christ address praise unmixed with blame.[124] "I
know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich), and I
know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are
the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt
suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye
may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
In the year 158, S. Polycarp visited Rome. The cause of his visit is not
exactly declared; but he had a conference with Pope Anicetus concerning
the time of celebrating the Paschal Feast; and the disputes upon this
subject were carried on so warmly, in the second century, that perhaps
we are to seek no other reason for Polycarp undertaking so long a
journey. The first day of the week, or Sunday, appears to have been held
sacred, on account of our Lord's Resurrection, from the very beginning
of the Church. The eastern and western Christians agreed in keeping a
solemn fast for some time preceding the feast of the Resurrection. There
was, however, one important difference between them. The Asiatic
Christians kept a feast on the true Passover, as well as observing the
great Easter festival. The western Christians kept the Paschal feast on
Easter Day. By separating the Passover feast from the feast of the
Resurrection, the Easterns had a burst of festivity interrupting
discordantly the hush of the great fast, which caused great offence to
the western sense of propriety. Both parties laid claims to apostolic
authority for their respective customs. The eastern Christians asserted
that SS. John and Philip had sanctioned their custom; while the brethren
at Rome defended themselves by the authority of SS. Peter and Paul. This
being the case, and neither of the parties being willing to concede, a
conference between an Asiatic Bishop and the Bishop of Rome seemed a
very desirable measure. Polycarp had been personally known to S. John,
and had been appointed by him to his bishopric. Anicetus was, singularly
enough, the seventh Bishop of Rome since the beginning of the century,
but Polycarp had occupied the see of Smyrna during the whole of that
time. S. Irenaeus, who relates the conference between Anicetus and
Polycarp, states that neither could convince the other. The meeting was,
however, conducted and terminated in perfect amity. The two bishops
were firm, and wedded to their respective customs; but the bond of peace
was not broken between them; and as proof of their mutual goodwill,
they received together the supersubstantial food, the Pope allowing
Polycarp, out of respect for his age and character, to celebrate.
In the sixth year of the reign of Marcus Aurelius, an exhibition of
games in Smyrna kept the city in excitement for some days, and the
Christians were made to fight with wild beasts for the amusement of the
populace. Polycarp himself was advised to withdraw from the storm, and
he concealed himself for some time at a short distance from the city.
His retreat was betrayed by a boy, who was threatened with the rack
unless he discovered him. Herod, the magistrate, whose office it was to
prevent misdemeanours, sent horsemen by night to beset his lodgings. The
Saint was above stairs in bed, but refused to make his escape, saying,
"God's will be done." He went down, met them at the door, ordered them a
handsome supper, and desired only some time for prayer before he went
with them. This granted, he began his prayer standing, and continued it
in that posture for two hours, recommending to God his own flock and the
whole Church, with so much earnestness and devotion, that several of
those that were come to seize him, repented having undertaken the
commission. They set him on an ass, and were conducting him towards the
city, when he was met on the road by Herod and his father, Nicetes, who
took him into their chariot, and endeavoured to persuade him to a little
compliance, saying, "What harm is there in sacrificing, to escape
death?" The bishop at first was silent, in imitation of our Saviour: but
being pressed, he gave them this resolute answer, "I shall never do what
you desire of me." At these words, they thrust him out of the chariot
with such violence, that his leg was bruised by the fall. The holy man
went forward cheerfully to the place where the people were assembled.
Upon his entering it, a voice from heaven was heard by many: "Polycarp,
be courageous, and play the man." He was led directly to the tribunal of
the pro-consul, who exhorted him to respect his own age, to swear by the
genius of the Emperor, and blaspheme Christ. Polycarp replied, "I have
served Him these fourscore and six years, and He never did me any harm,
but much good. How can I then blaspheme my King and my Saviour? If you
require of me to swear by the genius of Caesar, as you call it, hear my
free confession; I am a Christian: but if you desire to learn the
Christian religion, appoint a time, and hear me."
The pro-consul then, assuming a tone of severity, said, "I have wild
beasts." "Call for them," replied the Saint: "for we are unalterably
resolved not to change from good to evil. It is only good to pass from
evil to good." The pro-consul said, "If you despise the beasts, I will
cause you to be burnt to ashes." Polycarp answered, "You threaten me
with a fire which burns for a short time, and then goes out; but are,
yourself, ignorant of the judgment to come, and of the fire prepared for
the wicked. Why do you delay? Bring against me what you please." Whilst
he said this his countenance shone with a certain heavenly grace,
insomuch that the pro-consul was struck with admiration. However, he
ordered a crier to make public proclamation three times, "Polycarp has
confessed himself a Christian." At this proclamation the whole multitude
of Jews and Gentiles gave a great shout. They unanimously demanded that
he should be burnt alive. Their request was no sooner granted than every
one ran, with all speed, to fetch wood from the baths and shops. The
Jews were particularly active and busy on this occasion. The pile being
prepared, Polycarp put off his garments, untied his girdle, and began to
take off his shoes. The wood and other combustibles were heaped around
him. The executioners would have attached him to the stake; but he said
to them, "Suffer me to be as I am. He who gives me grace to endure this
fire, will enable me to stand still without that precaution." They,
therefore, contented themselves with tying his hands behind his back,
and in this posture, looking up towards heaven, he prayed as follows: "O
Almighty Lord God, Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ,
by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, God of angels, powers,
and every creature, and of all the race of the just that live in Thy
presence! I bless Thee for having been pleased in Thy goodness to bring
me to this hour, that I may receive a portion in the number of Thy
martyrs, and partake of the chalice of Thy Christ, for the resurrection
to eternal life, in the incorruptibleness of the Holy Spirit. Grant me
to be received this day as a pleasing sacrifice, such an one as thou
Thyself hast prepared, that so Thou mayest accomplish what Thou, O true
and faithful God! hast foreshown. Wherefore, for all things I praise,
bless, and glorify Thee, through the eternal high priest Jesus Christ,
Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory now
and for ever. Amen." He had scarce said Amen, when fire was set to the
pile, and increased to a mighty flame. "But behold a wonder seen by us,"
say the authors of these Acts. "The flames forming themselves into an
arch, like the sails of a ship swelled with the wind, gently encircled
the body of the martyr; which stood in the middle, like purified gold or
silver, appearing bright through the flames; and his body sending forth
such a fragrance, that we seemed to smell precious spices." The heathen
were exasperated to see that his body could not be consumed, and ordered
a spearman to pierce him through, which he did, and such a quantity of
blood issued out of his left side as to quench the fire. The malice of
the devil ended not here: he endeavoured to obstruct the relics of the
martyr being carried off by the Christians; for many desired to do it,
to show their respect to his body. Therefore, by the suggestion of
Satan, Nicetes advised the pro-consul not to bestow it on the
Christians, lest, said he, abandoning the crucified man, they should
adore Polycarp: the Jews suggested this, "Not knowing," say the authors
of these Acts, "that we can never forsake Christ, nor adore any other,
though we love the martyrs, as his disciples and imitators, for the
great love they bore their King and Master." The centurion then cast the
body into the midst of the fire, and burnt it to ashes. "We afterwards
took up the bones," say the writers of the Acts, "more precious than the
richest jewels or gold, and deposited them decently in a place at which,
may God grant us to assemble with joy, to celebrate the birthday of the
martyr."
His tomb is still shown near Smyrna.