Who Was Polycarp Of Smyrna?

Polycarp was one of the Apostolic Fathers who lived between the years 69 and 155 CE. He was one of the most influential Christians of his era, and his work profoundly impacted the early Church. According to Irenaeus^[1] and Tertullian,^[2] Polycarp was a personal disciple of John the Apostle. Who trained and molded him into the leader he was.

Polycarp The Bishop of Smyrna

After his time with John, Polycarp became the bishop of Smyrna. According to Jerome ^[3], he was appointed to that position by the Apostle John himself. Irenaeus, an early church father who lived around the same time, collaborates Jerome’s claim. However, he does not mention John by name.

But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna,

Irenaeus, Adv. Haer., III.3.4.

Polycarp served the church in his capacity as a bishop for many years. Over the course of his ministry, he carefully guided his church and vehemently defended the faith against those who wished to infect it with false teaching.

The Gnostic Problem

In his Day, Gnosticism was a growing religious/ philosophical movement that threatened to corrupt the Church’s teachings. Unlike other religions, like Hinduism or Roman paganism, Gnosticism has deep roots in Christianity. Consequently, many of its teachings are connected to things like Jesus, the Cross, and the Judeo-Christian God. Gnostic teaching, however, often stands in direct opposition to the New Testament. For example, many Gnostic teachers suggested that God is not a Trinity, Jesus never died, and that he wasn’t entirely human. In his letter to the Philippians, Polycarp pushes back against many of these heresies promoted by Gnostic teachers.

Polycarp’s visit to Rome

Polycarp also did a lot of work settling disputes and disagreements inside the church. Near the end of his life, he visited Anicetus, who was the bishop of Rome at the time. During his visit, the two discussed the differences between the Asian and Roman churches in an attempt to reconcile them. Although they came to many understandings, they could not agree on what day the church should celebrate Easter. The churches in Rome traditionally celebrated the feast on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. In contrast, the churches in Asia followed the Quartodeciman tradition. After much debate, the two decided to call it a day and let each church follow its tradition.

The best record of this event comes from Irenaeus, who wrote about it in his letter to Pope Victor.

 Polycarp was sojourning in Rome in the time of Anicetus, although a slight controversy had arisen among them as to certain other points, they were at once well inclined towards each other, not willing that any quarrel should arise between them upon this head. For neither could Anicetus persuade Polycarp to forego the observance…. nor, on the other hand, could Polycarp succeed in persuading Anicetus.

Irenaeus, letter to Pope Victor

The Death of Polycarp

Although we are certain Polycarp died, we are not entirely sure when it happened. This is due to the fact that our two primary sources, Eusebius and the Martyrdom of Polycarp, give different dates. According to Eusebius, he was martyred in 167–168 CE, while the Martyrdom of Polycarp dates his death to 155-156 CE. (It should be noted that 155 CE is the most widely excepted date.)

However, be that as it may, like many Christians of his day, Polycarp did not enjoy a quiet death; instead, he was martyred by the Romans under the rule of Antoninus Pius (138–161 CE) ^[4] or Marcus Aurelius (161–180 CE) ^[5]. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, in his old age, he was captured and commanded to worship the emperor. Naturally, Smyrna’s bishop refused the invitation, so they promptly burned him at the stake.

“So the proconsul said to Polycarp, ‘Take the oath. I will let you go. Just revile Christ.’ Polycarp answered, ‘For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?’”

Martyrdom of Polycarp

According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the flames could not consume his body, so his executioners ended his life by stabbing him with a knife. (see The Last Words of Polycarp for more information.)

Who Was Polycarp The Man?

During his life, Polycarp was one of the most popular and respected Bishops to ever watch over the churches of Asia minor. According to Fleury, Polycarp was the standard all other bishops were measured against.  

“With so much prudence and approbation that he was regarded as the principal of the Asiatic bishops, on account of the great veneration in which he was held.”

The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp by St. Alphonsus di Liguori

Part of his popularity undoubtedly came from his personal connection to the apostles. Polycarp was blessed with the privilege of walking and talking with members of the original 12. According to Henry Wace^[6], “a high value was attached to the witness Polycarp could give as to the genuine tradition of old apostolic doctrine”

His first-hand knowledge was tastefully paired with an excellent memory and love for Apostolic teaching. For those living in the second century, Polycarp served as a physical conduit, bridging the gap between generations.

The bishop also had a fiery, no-nonsense personality and a fearless/ unshakable desire for the truth. His verbal exchange with Marcion is an excellent example of these characteristics.

 “Marcion met him by chance and said “Do you know us” he replied, “I know the firstborn of the devil.”

Jerome, Illustrious Men, 17

Polycarp’s dogged devotion to the truth and fiery wit wasn’t merely for enemies of the church. On the contrary, he was well known for confronting believers the moment they began wandering off the path.

Here is a quote from his letter to the Philippians; in the letter, he rebukes them for half-heartedly following God.

“gird up your loins and serve God in fear and truth.”

Another excellent example of his no-nonsense personality comes from the martyrdom of Polycarp. After being captured in a wave of Roman persecution, he is brought to the colosseum and confronted with a choice; disown Christ or perish from various tortures.  

“If you despise the wild beasts, I will cause you to be consumed by fire, unless you repent…. You threaten that fire which burns for a season and after a little while is quenched: for you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Come, do what you will.”

This quote is also an excellent example of the quality of Polycarp’s devotion and loyalty.

How Polycarp Is Remembered

When those who knew him talk about his life, they remember a man who tirelessly shared the Apostles’ teachings with anyone who would listen. Who prayed for the church, his friends, and his enemies without ceasing. They speak of a man who unrelentingly stood up for the tradition entrusted to him and battled fiercely with those who actively twisted the truth. When they remembered Polycarp of Smyrna, they talked about a disciple of Jesus who, despite never seeing him, followed with all his heart.

Sources

1. Irenaeus – The bishop of Lugdunum (120/140 – 200/203) 
2. Tertullian – An early Christian author (155/160 – 220)
3. Jerome – An early Christian Theologian (347 – 420)
4. Antoninus Pius – Roman Emperor from AD 138 to 161
5. Marcus Aurelius – Roman emperor AD 161 to 180
6. Henry Wace – The Dean of Canterbury (1836-1924) (More Information)

Books

• Fleury – Hist. eccl. l. 3, n. 48 (The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp by St. Alphonsus di Liguori)
• Irenaeus letter to Florinus- Ecclesiastical History, V. XX. (pp. 495-499)
• Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses III
• Irenaeus letter to Pope Victor, Ecclesiastical History, V. XXIII, 3-4. (p. 505)
• The Epistle of Polycarp To The Philippians
• The Martyrdom of Polycarp
• Jerome , Illustrious Men 17
• Tertullian, De praescriptione hereticorum