St. Polycarp, our saint today, is centuries away from us, but his teachings are great truths that enrich our Faith, all throughout the Christian world, for he was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist and was ordained Bishop by St. John. He was among the first Christians whose writings survived. Imagine listening to St. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, it must be likelistening to Jesus himself. Polycarp was born in the year 69 in Smyrna, today a city in Turkey and was ordained bishop of Smyrna. We know that the first followers of Jesus, except for a few, were immediately persecuted and martyred. Polycarp, being among the faithful followers of the Apostle John was immediately distinguished as one among the Christians. So he was summoned and asked to recant his faith. There was also a great problem about the Christian teachings during his time. After the death of Jesus and the Apostles, a variety of interpretations were being preached around. Fortunately, Polycarp was around; he explained and authenticated the true teachings and condemned the heretical ones. His visit and short preaching in Rome converted many heretical disciples. Today, we shall present to you the glorious martyrdom of our saint, and how he accepted it in imitation of Jesus Christ. He was not among those thrown at once in the arena where the beasts were waiting for their prey. Not seeing him in the crowd, the pagans shouted: “Let Polycarp be found.” When Polycarp appeared, the pagans shouted, trying to establish connections with him: “Recognize us, Polycarp.” Polycarp immediately responded bravely, not afraid of their reaction: “I recognize, you, yes, I recognize the sons of Satan.” When Polycarp faced his executioners, asking him to sacrifice to the pagan idols, he was heard saying: “How can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.” Then among his last words were: “I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour so that in the company of the martyrs, I may share the cup of Christ… May I be received today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, among those who are in Your presence, as you have prepared and foretold and fulfilled, God who is faithful and true. For this and for all benefits I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom be to You with Him and the Holy Spirit glory, now and for all the ages to come. Amen." When the fire was lighted to burn him, the people saw a miracle. The fire burst up like an arch around Polycarp, the flames surrounding him like sails. Instead of burning him, he seemed to glow like metal being melted in a furnace. When the captors saw that Polycarp was not getting burned they stabbed him and threw a spear on him. The blood that flowed out from his body put the fire out but Polycarp died. It was the year 155. He was 86 years old. Many miracles followed his death. The proconsul did not allow the Christians to take the body of Polycarp, but a fearless mob took it and gave it a decent burial. His body was interred in the church of Saint’ Ambrogio della Massima in Rome and his relics are guarded and venerated there. The feast of St. Polycarp is celebrated on February 23.
Virtue: piety, faith, fidelity, humility, bravery, innocence, charity, temperance, hope and perseverance
