Saint Polycarp

Saint Polycarp was a bishop and a martyr. He lived in the first and second centuries. He was born around the year 69 and died around the year 155. He lived in a city called Smyrna. Today, that place is in modern-day Turkey.

Polycarp is one of the earliest Church leaders we know about. He is important because he knew some of the Apostles. Many people believe he was a student of Saint John the Apostle. This means he learned the faith from someone who walked with Jesus. That makes him a key link between the Apostles and later Christians.

He served as bishop of Smyrna for many years. He helped lead the early Church. He taught people to stay faithful to Jesus. He wrote letters to other Christians. One of his letters, to the Church in Philippi, still exists. It shows how the early Church taught and lived the faith.

Polycarp is also known for how he died. He was killed for believing in Jesus. He would not worship the Roman emperor. He was burned and stabbed to death. Early Christians wrote a story about his death. It is called The Martyrdom of Polycarp.

People still remember him today. His feast day is February 23 in the Roman Catholic Church. Eastern Christians celebrate him too. His life reminds us to stay strong in our faith, even when it is hard.

Polycarp was born around the year 69. We do not know much about his early life. Some say he may have been born into a Christian family. Others say he became Christian as a young man. What we do know is that he became a student of the Apostle John. John was one of the Twelve Apostles and a close friend of Jesus.

Learning from John was very important. John had seen Jesus, heard His teaching, and knew His ways. Polycarp listened to John and followed his example. Later, Polycarp would also teach others, just as John taught him. This made Polycarp part of a line of teachers going back to Jesus.

Polycarp became the bishop of Smyrna. A bishop is a leader in the Church. He helped guide the people and kept the faith strong in the city. He preached, taught, and cared for the Christian community. Many people looked to him for wisdom and help.

He also knew other early Christian leaders. He wrote letters to churches and spoke with bishops from other places. One well-known friend was Saint Ignatius of Antioch. These leaders worked together to teach the truth and protect the Church from false ideas.

Polycarp lived in a time when being a Christian was dangerous. But he did not hide or stay silent. He led with courage. He kept the Church strong during hard times.

Polycarp wrote a letter to the Christians in Philippi. It is called the Letter to the Philippians. It is not part of the Bible, but it is one of the oldest Christian writings outside the Bible. Many early Christians read it and shared it. The Church has kept it for many centuries.

In this letter, Polycarp talks about faith, truth, and how to live as Christians. He tells the people to follow Jesus. He reminds them to trust in God and to stay strong. He says they should pray, do good works, and avoid sin. He also talks about loving others and staying humble.

Polycarp also writes about Church leaders. He says bishops, priests, and deacons should live good lives. They should serve the people and follow Christ. He tells the Church to respect its leaders and to work together in peace.

The letter also warns against false teachers. Polycarp says some people twist the truth. He tells the Philippians to hold on to what the Apostles taught. He points to Jesus as the example for all. His letter is simple, clear, and full of advice that still helps us today.

Even though it is not in the Bible, the letter shows us how the early Church thought and lived. It teaches us to stay faithful, love others, and follow Jesus every day.

Polycarp was very old when he was arrested. He was likely around 86 years old. Roman leaders were trying to stop Christians. They wanted people to worship the emperor. Polycarp refused to do this. He said he would only worship Jesus.

The Roman guards came to take him. He did not run or hide. He welcomed them and even gave them food. Then they took him away. He was brought before the governor. The governor told him to say, “Caesar is lord.” He told him to curse Jesus. But Polycarp said, “I have served Christ for 86 years. He has never done me wrong. How can I turn against Him now?”

The leaders were angry. They said he would be burned alive. Polycarp stood firm. He did not fight back. He did not cry out. The people lit the fire. The story says the flames did not touch him at first. So one of the guards stabbed him with a sword. He died a martyr. That means he died for his faith in Jesus.

Christians wrote down what happened. The story is called The Martyrdom of Polycarp. It is one of the oldest stories of a Christian martyr. It shows how Polycarp chose Jesus over safety, comfort, and even life itself. His death gave courage to other Christians. They saw that God was with him, even in the fire.

After Polycarp died, the Church remembered him with great respect. People shared the story of his life and death. His courage gave strength to other Christians. He showed them how to stay faithful, even when it was dangerous.

The letter about his death was read in churches. It helped Christians feel close to those who had died for their faith. It also helped teach the next generations about bravery and trust in Jesus. Many people saw Polycarp as a true follower of Christ.

Today, the Church still honors him. His feast day is February 23. On this day, we remember his witness and pray for the same courage he had. He is also remembered in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is honored on a different date.

Saint Polycarp is the patron saint of people who suffer for their faith. He is also a patron for those who are misunderstood or wrongly accused. His life reminds us to follow Jesus no matter what. Even though he lived a long time ago, his example still matters today.

Loyal No Matter What

Saint Polycarp stayed faithful when it mattered most. Faced with death, he didn’t back down. He chose loyalty to Jesus over safety, comfort, or approval. His friendship with Jesus was real—and it showed.

Loyalty means standing firm when it’s hard. Like Polycarp, we’re called to stick with Jesus in every situation. Not just when life is easy, but when it costs us something. Loyalty is love that stays.

Epistle to the Philippians & the Martyrdom of Polycarp: Modern, Updated Translation

This edition includes two important writings about Saint Polycarp. The Epistle to the Philippians is his only known letter. It gives advice on Christian living and shows how early Church leaders taught their people. It also uses many parts of the New Testament, showing that those writings were already trusted. The Martyrdom of Polycarp tells the story of his arrest and death. It shows how he stayed faithful and brave, even when facing death. Both texts give a clear look at the faith and courage of early Christians. They help readers understand what the early Church believed and how it lived.