Martyrdom of Polycarp

1 The church of God which sojourns at Smyrna to the Church of God which sojourns in Philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal Church sojourning in every place; mercy and peace and love from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied.

1 We write to you, brothers and sisters, an account of what happened to those that suffered martyrdom and especially the blessed Polycarp, who stopped the persecution, having as it were set his seal upon it by his martyrdom. For nearly all the foregoing events came to pass that the Lord might show us once more an example of martyrdom which is conformable to the Gospel. 2 For he lingered that he might be delivered up, even as the Lord did, to the end that we too might be imitators of him, not looking only to that which concerns ourselves, but also to that which concerns our neighbors. For it is the part of true and steadfast love, not only to desire that oneself be saved, but all the brothers and sisters also.

1 Blessed therefore and noble are all the martyrdoms which have taken place according to the will of God (for it is right for us to be very scrupulous and to assign to God the power over all things). 2 For who could fail to admire their nobleness and patient endurance and loyalty to the Master? seeing that when they were so torn by lashes that the mechanism of their flesh was visible even as far as the inward veins and arteries, they endured patiently, so that the very bystanders had pity and wept; while they themselves reached such a pitch of bravery that none of them uttered a cry or a groan, thus showing to us all that at that hour the martyrs of Christ being tortured were absent from the flesh, or rather that the Lord was standing by and conversing with them. 3 And giving heed to the grace of Christ they despised the tortures of this world, purchasing at the cost of one hour a release from eternal punishment. And they found the fire of their inhuman torturers cold: for they set before their eyes the escape from the eternal fire which is never quenched; while with the eyes of their heart they gazed upon the good things which are reserved for those that endure patiently, things which neither ear has heard nor eye has seen, nor have they entered into the heart of man, but were shown by the Lord to them, for they were no longer men but angels already. 4 And in like manner also those that were condemned to the wild beasts endured fearful punishments, being made to lie on sharp shells and beaten with other forms of various tortures, that the devil might, if possible, by the persistence of the punishment bring them to a denial; for he tried many wiles against them.

1 But thanks be to God; for He truly prevailed against all. For the most noble Germanicus encouraged their timidity through the steadfastness which was in him; and he fought with the wild beasts in a remarkable way. For when the proconsul wished to prevail upon him and urged him to have pity on his youth, he used violence and dragged the wild beast towards him, desiring the more speedily to obtain a release from their unrighteous and lawless life. 2 So after this all the multitude, marveling at the bravery of the God-beloved and God-fearing people of the Christians, raised a cry, “Away with the atheists; let search be made for Polycarp.”

1 But one man, Quintus by name, a Phrygian newly arrived from Phrygia, when he saw the wild beasts, turned coward. He it was who had forced himself and some others to come forward of their own free will. This man the proconsul by much entreaty persuaded to swear the oath and to offer incense. For this cause therefore, brothers and sisters, we do not praise those who deliver themselves up, since the Gospel does not so teach us.

1 Now the glorious Polycarp at the first, when he heard it, so far from being dismayed, was desirous of remaining in town; but the greater part persuaded him to withdraw. So he withdrew to a farm not far distant from the city; and there he stayed with a few companions, doing nothing else night and day but praying for all people and for the churches throughout the world; for this was his constant habit. 2 And while praying he falls into a trance three days before his arrest; and he saw his pillow burning with fire. And he turned and said to those that were with him: “It must be that I shall be burned alive.”

1 And as those that were in search of him persisted, he departed to another farm; and immediately they that were in search of him came up; and not finding him, they seized two slave boys, one of whom confessed under torture; 2 for it was impossible for him to lie concealed, seeing that the very persons who betrayed him were people of his own household. And the captain of the police, who happened to have the very name, being called Herod, was eager to bring him into the stadium, that he himself might fulfill his appointed lot, being made a partaker with Christ, while they, his betrayers, underwent the punishment of Judas himself.

1 So taking the boy with them, on the Friday about the supper hour, the police and horsemen went out with their accustomed arms, hurrying as against a robber. And coming up in a body late in the evening, they found the man himself in bed in an upper room in a certain cottage; and though he might have departed from there to another place, he would not, saying, “The will of God be done.” 2 So when he heard that they had come, he went down and conversed with them, the bystanders marveling at his age and his steadfastness, and wondering how there should be so much eagerness for the arrest of an old man like him. Then immediately he gave orders that a table should be spread for them to eat and drink at that hour, as much as they desired. And he persuaded them to grant him an hour that he might pray undisturbed; 3 and on their consenting, he stood up and prayed, being so full of the grace of God, that for two hours he could not keep silent, and those that heard were amazed, and many repented that they had come against such a venerable old man.

1 But when at last he brought his prayer to an end, after remembering all who at any time had come in his way, small and great, high and low, and all the universal Church throughout the world, the hour of departure having come, they seated him on a donkey and brought him into the city, it being a high Sabbath. 2 And he was met by Herod the captain of police and his father Nicetes, who also removed him to their carriage and tried to prevail upon him, seating themselves by his side and saying, “Why, what harm is there in saying, Caesar is Lord, and offering incense,” with more to this effect, “and saving yourself?” But he at first gave them no answer. When however they persisted, he said, “I am not going to do what you counsel me.” 3 Then they, failing to persuade him, uttered threatening words and made him dismount with speed, so that he bruised his shin, as he got down from the carriage. And without even turning round, he went on his way promptly and with speed, as if nothing had happened to him, being taken to the stadium; there being such a tumult in the stadium that no man's voice could be so much as heard.

1 But as Polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven; “Be strong, Polycarp, and be a man.” And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And at last, when he was brought up, there was a great tumult, for they heard that Polycarp had been arrested. 2 When then he was brought before him, the proconsul inquired whether he were the man. And on his confessing that he was, he tried to persuade him to a denial saying, “Have respect to your age,” and other things in accordance with this, as it is their custom to say; “Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent and say, Away with the atheists.” Then Polycarp with solemn face looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, “Away with the atheists.” 3 But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, “Swear the oath, and I will release you; revile the Christ,” Polycarp said, “Eighty-six years have I been His servant, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

1 But on his persisting again and saying, “Swear by the fortune of Caesar,” he answered, “If you suppose vainly that I will swear by the fortune of Caesar, as you say, and pretend that you are ignorant who I am, hear plainly, I am a Christian. But if you would learn the doctrine of Christianity, assign a day and give me a hearing.” 2 The proconsul said; “Prevail upon the people.” But Polycarp said; “As for yourself, I should have held you worthy of discourse; for we have been taught to render, as is fitting, to princes and authorities appointed by God such honor as does us no harm; but as for these, I do not hold them worthy, that I should defend myself before them.”

1 Then the proconsul said; “I have wild beasts here and I will throw you to them, unless you repent.” But he said, “Call for them: for the repentance from better to worse is a change not permitted to us; but it is a noble thing to change from wickedness to righteousness.” 2 Then he said to him again, “I will cause you to be consumed by fire, if you despise the wild beasts, unless you repent.” But Polycarp said; “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.”

1 Saying these things and more besides, he was inspired with courage and joy, and his face was filled with grace, so that not only did it not drop in dismay at the things which were said to him, but on the contrary the proconsul was astounded and sent his own herald to proclaim three times in the midst of the stadium, “Polycarp has confessed himself to be a Christian.” 2 When this was proclaimed by the herald, the whole multitude both of Gentiles and of Jews who dwelt in Smyrna cried out with ungovernable wrath and with a loud shout, “This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the puller down of our gods, who teaches many not to sacrifice nor worship.” Saying these things, they shouted aloud and asked the Asiarch Philip to let a lion loose upon Polycarp. But he said that it was not lawful for him, since he had brought the games to a close. 3 Then they thought fit to shout out with one accord that Polycarp should be burned alive. For it had to be that the matter of the vision should be fulfilled, which was shown him concerning his pillow, when he saw it on fire while praying, and turning round he said prophetically to the faithful who were with him, “I must be burned alive.”

1 These things then happened with such great speed, quicker than words could tell, the crowds immediately collecting from the workshops and baths timber and firewood, and the Jews more especially assisting in this with zeal, as is their custom. 2 But when the pyre was made ready, taking off all his upper garments and loosing his belt, he tried also to take off his shoes, though not in the habit of doing this before, because all the faithful at all times vied eagerly who should soonest touch his flesh. For he had been treated with all honor for his holy life even before his gray hairs came. 3 Immediately then the instruments that were prepared for the pyre were placed about him; and as they were going likewise to nail him to the stake, he said; “Leave me as I am; for He that has granted me to endure the fire will grant me also to remain at the pyre unmoved, even without the security which you seek from the nails.”

1 So they did not nail him, but tied him. Then he, placing his hands behind him and being bound to the stake, like a noble ram out of a great flock for an offering, a burnt sacrifice made ready and acceptable to God, looking up to heaven said; “O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels and powers and of all creation and of the whole race of the righteous, who live in Your presence; 2 I bless You because You have granted me this day and hour, that I might receive a portion among the number of martyrs in the cup of [Your] Christ to resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and of body, in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among these in Your presence this day, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as You prepared and revealed it beforehand, and have accomplished it, You that are the faithful and true God. 3 For this cause, yes and for all things, I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, through the eternal and heavenly High-priest, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom with Him and the Holy Spirit be glory both now [and ever] and for the ages to come. Amen.”

1 When he had offered up the Amen and finished his prayer, the men in charge of the fire lighted it. And, a mighty flame flashing forth, we to whom it was given to see, saw a marvel, yes and we were preserved that we might relate to the rest what happened. 2 The fire, making the appearance of a vault, like the sail of a ship filled by the wind, made a wall round about the body of the martyr; and it was there in the midst, not like flesh burning, but like [a loaf in the oven or like] gold and silver refined in a furnace. For we perceived such a fragrant smell, as if it were the wafted odor of frankincense or some other precious spice.

1 So at last the lawless men, seeing that his body could not be consumed by the fire, ordered an executioner to go up to him and stab him with a dagger. And when he had done this, there came forth [a dove and] a quantity of blood, so that it extinguished the fire; and all the multitude marveled that there should be so great a difference between the unbelievers and the elect. 2 In the number of these was this man, the glorious martyr Polycarp, who was found an apostolic and prophetic teacher in our own time, a bishop of the holy Church which is in Smyrna. For every word which he uttered from his mouth was accomplished and will be accomplished.

1 But the jealous and envious Evil One, the adversary of the family of the righteous, having seen the greatness of his martyrdom and his blameless life from the beginning, and how he was crowned with the crown of immortality and had won a reward which none could deny, managed that not even his poor body should be taken away by us, although many desired to do this and to touch his holy flesh. 2 So he put forward Nicetes, the father of Herod and brother of Alce, to plead with the magistrate not to give up his body, “lest,” so it was said, “they should abandon the crucified one and begin to worship this man”; this being done at the instigation and urgent entreaty of the Jews, who also watched when we were about to take it from the fire, not knowing that it will be impossible for us either to forsake at any time the Christ who suffered for the salvation of the whole world of those that are saved, suffered though faultless for sinners, nor to worship any other. 3 For Him, being the Son of God, we adore, but the martyrs as disciples and imitators of the Lord we cherish as they deserve for their matchless affection towards their own King and Teacher. May it be our lot also to be found partakers and fellow-disciples with them.

1 The centurion therefore, seeing the opposition raised on the part of the Jews, set him in the midst and burnt him after their custom. 2 And so we afterwards took up his bones which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place; 3 where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together, as we are able, in gladness and joy, and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom for the commemoration of those that have already fought in the contest, and for the training and preparation of those that shall do so hereafter.

1 So it happened to the blessed Polycarp, who having with those from Philadelphia suffered martyrdom in Smyrna, twelve in all, is especially remembered more than the others by all people, so that he is talked of even by the heathen in every place: for he showed himself not only a notable teacher, but also a distinguished martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, seeing that it was after the pattern of the Gospel of Christ. 2 Having by his endurance overcome the unrighteous ruler in the conflict and so received the crown of immortality, he rejoices in company with the Apostles and all righteous men, and glorifies the Almighty God and Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the savior of our souls and helmsman of our bodies and shepherd of the universal Church which is throughout the world.

1 You indeed asked that the things which happened should be shown to you at greater length: but we for the present have informed you as it were in a summary through our brother Marcianus. When then you have informed yourselves of these things, send the letter on likewise to the brothers and sisters who are farther off, that they also may glorify the Lord, who makes His choice from His own servants. 2 Now to Him that is able to bring us all by His grace and bounty to His eternal kingdom, through His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, be glory, honor, power, and greatness for ever. Greet all the saints. They that are with us greet you, and Euarestus, who wrote the letter, with his whole house.

1 Now the blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second day of the first part of the month Xanthicus, on the seventh before the calends of March, on a great Sabbath, at the eighth hour. He was arrested by Herodes, when Philip of Tralles was high priest, in the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus, but in the reign of the Eternal King Jesus Christ. To whom be the glory, honor, greatness, and eternal throne, from generation to generation. Amen.

1 We bid you farewell, brothers and sisters, while you walk by the word of Jesus Christ which is according to the Gospel; with whom be glory to God for the salvation of His holy elect; even as the blessed Polycarp suffered martyrdom, in whose footsteps may it be our lot to be found in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. 2 This account Gaius copied from the papers of Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp. The same also lived with Irenaeus. 3 And I Socrates wrote it down in Corinth from the copy of Gaius. Grace be with all men. 4 And I Pionius again wrote it down from the aforementioned copy, having searched it out (for the blessed Polycarp showed me in a revelation, as I will declare in what follows), gathering it together when it was now nearly worn out by age, that the Lord Jesus Christ may gather me also with His elect into His heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.