For eusebius, the roman empire was the divinely appointed and necessary milieu for the propagation of the christian faith. Polycarp was a second century bishop and martyr, and an important leader in the early church. Eusebius is the earliest source separating out john the presbyter from john the divine. With this date, both the naming of quadratus as proconsul and the asiarch philip of tralles are in. Letter of polykarpos to the philippians biblical audio. The text of the harris fragments on polycarp and john raises new exciting questions about martyrdom and apostolicity, the earliest history of the important christian communities at ephesus and smyrna, and the legacies of polycarp and john among early christians. By almost every step that led up to polycarps martyrdom, the lord intended to show us anew the type of martyrdom narrated in the gospel chapter 2. The greek is not difficult, and anyone with a reasonable koine knowledge will make good progress through the text. Martyrdom of polycarp wikisource, the free online library. Written about ad 156, within a year of the event it describes, it is an authentic eyewitness report of the heroic death of an elderly man named polycarp. Includes a classic explanation of why a martyrs remains were important, and relates martyrdom to the eucharistic liturgy.
These volumes are noteworthy for their inclusion of entire texts, and not simply fragments or excerpts. Several ancient sources document the contributions of polycarp to christianity, including his letters written to the. It is available for download immediately, just click on the above link in the header pages. Polycarp is a celebrated figure in the history of christianity. Some years after the death of polycarp, around the turn of the third century, voluntary martyrdom became an issue in the early church. Martyrdom of polycarp, letter that describes the death by burning of polycarp, bishop of smyrna in asia minor.
If an article link referred you here, please consider editing it to point directly to the intended page. There is another and a greater need for us to pray for the emperor, and, indeed, for the whole estate of the empire, and the interests of rome. This commentary on polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. On sunday february 23rd, the church celebrates the memory of one of the earliest martyrs of the faith, st. Thiel translations based on the text in the martrydom of polycarp. The martyrdom of saint polycarp, bishop of smyrna, as told in the letter. 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. Irenaeus letter to the smyrneans is one of the sources recounting polycarp s martyrdom. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. Polycarp is recognized as a saint in both the roman catholic and eastern orthodox churches. Whatever the reason for the delay, it is still the first recorded. Books by polycarp author of the epistle of polycarp to the.
Polycarp, bishop of smyrna now izmir, turkey, in about ad 155. The martyrdom of polycarp the story of another suffering servant. Martyrdom of polycarp patristic literature britannica. Polycarp has 40 books on goodreads with 3196 ratings. Saint polycarp of smyrna martyred in his 87th year, ca. Jul 17, 2014 it is available for download immediately, just click on the above link in the header pages. Polycarp had been a christian since he was a child, but the romans didnt get around to killing him until he was in his eighties. Several ancient sources document the contributions of polycarp to christianity, including his letters written to the church at philippi, in which he encourages. The martyrdom of polycarp, pdf release patristic readers. Ignatius passed through smyrna on his way to martyrdom, polycarp was perhaps no more than thirtyfive. The letter begins with an account of the persecution and the heroism of the martyrs. This particular replica of the manuscript was copied by pionius, who is later arrested on the anniversary of polycarp s martyrdom.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Kirsopp lakes introduction robertsdonaldson introduction handbook of patrology. Weidmann accomplishes several important things in one volume. Polycarp fled from his own martyrdom, proclaimed it in accordance with the gospel, and wants you to do the same. As an old man, he was the bishop of the church at smyrna in asia minor presentday turkey. Polycarp the letter of the smyrnaeans or the martyrdom of polycarp.
Of polycarps life little is known, but that little is highly interesting. So the arrest warrant was issued and the soldiers were dispatched and they chased down polycarp. Eusebius guessed that it occurred in 167 during the reign of marcus aurelius and this was generally accepted until 1867, when w. Originally printed in 1885, the tenvolume set, antenicene fathers, brings together the work of early christian thinkers. Polycarp and the acts of his martyrdom catholic encyclopedia. Polycarp was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. Martyrdom of polycarp, martyrdom, cult of the saints, montanism. And caesar himself saw to it that polycarp would be arrested and that he would be martyred.
Polycarp to revile christ, the saint replied, eightysix years have i served. The martyrdom presupposes a catholic interest in the birthday of his martyrdom. Polycarp, saint the catholic encyclopedia religionfacts. Irenaeus letter to the smyrneans is one of the sources recounting polycarps martyrdom. Polycarp also taught an important early church father named irenaeus, who led the fight against the gnostic heresy. The endurance of the martyrs all the martyrdoms were blessed and noble and took place according to the will. The martyrdom of polycarp, if it were indeed authentic and datable to the midsecond century, would give us an important glimpse of developing attitudes to martyrdom in this period, and also offer corroboration of irenaeus claim to be in touch with apostolic teaching. The letters of ignatius advance the teachings of christ and the apostles on such important subjects as church unity, the eucharist, and the governmental structure of. A letter sent by the church at smyrna to the church at philomelium recounting the martyrdom of polycarp, bishop of smyrna for over fifty years until his death. In particular, it brings together the writings of the early church fathers prior to the fourth century nicene creed. The account is in the form of a letter from eyewitnesses to other churches in the area.
The letter describes polycarp solemnly looking at the whole crowd gathered to see his martyrdom. Jul 28, 2016 the martyrdom of polycarp online resources for martyrdom of polycarp. Ecclesiastical history was the first important work of christian history since the acts of the apostles. You already read a little about his martyrdom on the early christianity page. Polycarp declared, eighty and six years have i served him, and he never did me injury. The story you are about to read is the earliest known account of a christian martyrdom.
See more ideas about st polycarp, catholic saints and catholic. Dating the martyrdom of polycarp in the third century peter. Much of what we know about polycarps death comes from the secondcentury work titled the martyrdom of polycarp. Polycarp four out of the seven genuine epistles of st. He became a christian while very young, and was a disciple of st. The author of martyrdom of polycarp is unknown, but it has been attributed. John appointed polycarp as bishop of smyrna in modernday turkey, and st. Polycarp was a son of the church connected physically with the apostles. The martyrdom of polycarp narrates a martyrdom according to the gospel.
Antenicene christian librarythe martyrdom of polycarp. We have an eyewitness account from the book the martydom of saint polycarp. Lightfootss translation from the greek, with minor translation editing by b. The martyrdom of polycarp 9 remote though we be from the disorders, find ourselves sharing in the calamity, in the disturbance of the other members. The church of god that sojourns at smyrna to the church of god that sojourns at philomelium, and to all those of the holy and catholic church who sojourn in every place.
Nov 15, 2018 search for titles containing or beginning with. This obviously genuine and contemporary account of the martyrdom of polycarp, in the form of a letter from the church of smyrna to the church of philomelium, is the earliest known history of a christian martyrdom, the genuineness of which is unquestionable, and its value is enhanced by the fact that in the extant mss. Martyrdom of polycarp is a manuscript written in the form of a letter that relates the religious martyrdom of polycarp, bishop of smyrna the site of the modern city of izmir, turkey and disciple of john the apostle in the 2nd century ad. Ad 156 now, it is well documented that the martyrdom of polycarp was written the year after the saints execution. The epistle of ignatius to polycarp was written within a decade of st. The fifth imperial persecution broke upon the church, this time under the emperor marcus aurelius. Polycarp was the bishop of smyrna, today the city of izmir, on the west coast of turkey. Ad 69 155 was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. Of polycarp s life little is known, but that little is highly interesting. The apostolic fathersgreek text and english translations, 3rd printing 2004, pp 222249 polycarp was believed to have been martryed in or around 156 a. The orthodox church celebrates his memory on 23 february. It is a short but delightful work, one of our earliest accounts of martyrdom.
The martyrdom of polycarp from the apostolic fathers 1. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. Article information, pdf download for the martyrdom of polycarp. The martyrdom of polycarp letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia from kirsopp lake, the apostolic fathers, vol. It was sent to the christian church in philomelium, asia minor, from the church in smyrna modern izmir, tur. Ignatius in rome during the reign of trajan, and polycarp in smyrna some time in the midcentury. Due to being unable to have the original actor of polycarp polykarpos rerecord his material, there are some inaccurate pronuncations still included in the letter to the philippians. To the reader, this letter might appear to be similar to letters we find in romans, corinthians, thessalonians, etc.
Martyrdom of polycarp is a manuscript written in the form of a letter that relates the religious. Dec 11, 20 so here we have polycarp and his great line. We write to you, brethren, the story of the martyrs and of the blessed polycarp, who put an end to the persecution by his martyrdom as though adding the seal. A letter of the early church recounting the death of a bishop.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, greek, latin. Polycarp of smyrna resources american bible society. By then, he was 86 years old and respected by everyone. For the curious, these are the correct pronunciations. The church of god which sojourneth at smyrna to the church of god which sojourneth in philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal church sojourning in every place. The apostolic fathers are a group of early christian authors whose writings date back to the middle of the first century. The martyrdom of polycarp sara parvis, 2006 sage journals. Martyrdom of polycarp shared by eric peloquin sermon. A direct pupil of the apostle john, polycarp lived between 70 and 155 a. It was this last of the twelve apostles who ordained polycarp bishop of smyrna, a city north of ephesus.
It forms the earliest account of christian martyrdom outside of the new testament. Even the soldiers who arrested him, after they heard him prayand after he had made them a mealregretted that they had been sent to arrest so godly and venerable an old. He then offers a similar treatment of the martyrdom. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our saviour, be multiplied.
Polycarp, venerable bishop of smyrna was a personal friend and pupil of john the apostle. The martyrdom of polycarp, if it were indeed authentic and datable to the. Polycarp is regarded as a saint and church father in the eastern orthodox, oriental orthodox. The church of god which dwells in smyrna to the church of god which dwells in philomelium and to all the communities of the allembracing church in every place. And so, shortly before his death, the proconsul asks polycarp to repent and say, away with the atheists. This is why we do not approve of voluntary martyrdom, something the gospel does not teach us to do. At eightysix years old he was considered the enemy of the state. He motions toward them with his hand as he groans, away with the atheists. Of the martyracts that dot the landscape of early christianity, the dating of no text. This work offers an eyewitness account of the bishops death at the hands of the romans, and it is something of a. Numerous facets of the text echo the passion materials of the gospels, and polycarp is directly said to imitate christ. The early christian conception of history whose historia ecclesiastica written 312324. Polycarps most popular book is early christian writings.
Ecclesiastical history work by eusebius britannica. Clement of alexandria, for instance, a christian philosopher and teacher in egypt, argued that those who rushed forward to martyrdom were not really christians at all, but merely shared the name. Jackson opens his discussion with references to polycarp from early christian writings, which demonstrate the genuineness and semicanonical status of his correspondence. The account of the martyrdom of polycarp of smyrna, reckoned among the apostolic fathers, was written very shortly after his death, apparently by eyewitnesses. He church of god which sojourns at smyrna, to the church of god sojourning in philomelium 1 and to all the congregations 2 of the holy and catholic church in every place. Please help support the mission of new advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. A description by early christians of the death of st. H waddington placed the martyrdom on 23 february 155.
Books by polycarp author of the epistle of polycarp to. Polycarp was a personal disciple of the apostle john. The preliminary material investigates polycarpian traditions and reconstructs an outline of his life. The letter of the smyrnaeans or the martyrdom of polycarp. Due to being unable to have the original actor of polycarppolykarpos rerecord his material, there are some inaccurate pronuncations still included in the letter to the philippians. According to the martyrdom of polycarp he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him. Polycarp offline resources for martyrdom of polycarp. Mercy, peace, and love from god the father, and our lord jesus christ, be multiplied. Polycarps vision when he heard about this, the redoubtable polycarp was not in the least upset, and was happy to stay in the city, but. According to the martyrdom of polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. This particular replica of the manuscript was copied by pionius, who is later arrested on the anniversary of polycarps martyrdom. Roman peace and roman roads allowed the apostle paul to. It was sent out from the church at smyrna to the church at philomelium in particular, but by its preface it was clearly meant as a circular letter for other churches, as well.
Polycarp was a subject of the historian eusebius ca 260265ca 339340 c. Letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia. Polycarp of smyrna, didache, barnabas of alexandria, the shepherd of hermas, and diognetus. Polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of smyrna and sent an epistle to the philippians c. The martyrdom of polycarp online christian library. Of the martyrdom, he says that the letter containing it is the fullest and most important work of its kind. May the mercy, peace, and love of god the father and of our lord jesus christ be multiplied forever. Polycarps 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. Polycarps date of death established, one can approximate the latest possible year of his birth.