The
Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna, Concerning the Martyrdom of St.
Polycarp
The Church of God which sojourns at
Smyrna, to the Church of God sojourning in Philomelium, and to all the
congregations of the Holy and Catholic Church in every place: Mercy, peace, and
love from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
CHAPTER I -- SUBJECT OF WHICH WE WRITE.
We have written to you, brethren, as to
what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an
end to the persecution, having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his
martyrdom. For almost all the events that happened previously [to this one],
took place that the Lord might show us from above a martyrdom becoming the
Gospel. For he waited to be delivered up, even as the Lord had done, that we
also might become his followers, while we look not merely at what concerns
ourselves but have regard also to our neighbours. For it is the part of a true
and well-founded love, not only to wish one's self to be saved, but also all
the brethren.
CHAPTER II -- THE WONDERFUL CONSTANCY OF
THE MARTYRS.
All the martyrdoms, then, were blessed and
noble which took place according to the will of God. For it becomes us who
profess greater piety than others, to ascribe the authority over all things to
God. And truly, who can fail to admire their nobleness of mind, and their patience,
with that love towards their Lord which they displayed?--who, when they were so
torn with scourges, that the frame of their bodies, even to the very inward
veins and arteries, was laid open, still patiently endured, while even those
that stood by pitied and bewailed them. But they reached such a pitch of
magnanimity, that not one of them let a sigh or a groan escape them; thus
proving to us all that those holy martyrs of Christ, at the very time when they
suffered such torments, were absent from the body, or rather, that the Lord
then stood by them, and communed with them. And, looking to the grace of
Christ, they despised all the torments of this world, redeeming themselves from
eternal punishment by [the suffering of] a single hour. For this reason the
fire of their savage executioners appeared cool to them. For they kept before
their view escape from that fire which is eternal and never shall be quenched,
and looked forward with the eyes of their heart to those good things which are
laid up for such as endure; things "which ear hath not heard, nor eye
seen, neither have entered into the heart of man," but were revealed by
the Lord to them, inasmuch as they were no longer men, but had already become
angels. And, in like manner, those who were condemned to the wild beasts
endured dreadful tortures, being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and
subjected to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were
possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them to a denial
[of Christ].
CHAPTER III -- THE CONSTANCY OF
GERMANICUS. THE DEATH OF POLYCARP IS
DEMANDED.
For the devil did indeed invent many
things against them; but thanks be to God, he could not prevail over all. For
the most noble Germanicus strengthened the timidity of others by his own
patience, and fought heroically with the wild beasts. For, when the proconsul
sought to persuade him, and urged him to take pity upon his age, he attracted
the wild beast towards himself, and provoked it, being desirous to escape all
the more quickly from an unrighteous and impious world. But upon this the whole
multitude, marvelling at the nobility of mind displayed by the devout and godly
race of Christians, cried out, "Away with the Atheists; let Polycarp be
sought out !"
CHAPTER IV -- QUINTUS THE APOSTATE.
Now one named Quintus, a Phrygian, who was
but lately come from Phrygia, when he saw the wild beasts, became afraid. This
was the man who forced himself and some others to come forward voluntarily [for
trial]. Him the proconsul, after many entreaties, persuaded to swear and to
offer sacrifice. Wherefore, brethren, we do not commend those who give
themselves up [to suffering], seeing the Gospel does not teach so to do.
CHAPTER V, --THE DEPARTURE AND VISION OF
POLYCARP.
But the most admirable Polycarp, when he
first heard [that he was sought for], was in no measure disturbed, but resolved
to continue in the city. However, in deference to the wish of many, he was
persuaded to leave it. He departed, therefore, to a country house not far distant
from the city. There he stayed with a few [friends], engaged in nothing else
night and day than praying for all men, and for the Churches throughout the
world, according to his usual custom. And while he was praying, a vision
presented itself to him three days before he was taken; and, behold, the pillow
under his head seemed to him on fire. Upon this, turning to those that were
with him, he said to them prophetically," I must be burnt alive."
CHAPTER VI -- POLYCARP IS BETRAYED BY A
SERVANT.
And when those who sought for him were at
hand, he departed to another dwelling, whither his pursuers immediately came
after him. And when they found him not, they seized upon two youths [that were
there], one of whom, being subjected to torture, confessed. It was thus impossible
that he should continue hid, since those that betrayed him were of his own
household. The Irenarch then (whose office is the same as that of the
Cleronomus), by name Herod, hastened to bring him into the stadium. [This all
happened] that he might fulfil his special lot, being made a partaker of
Christ, and that they who betrayed him might undergo the punishment of Judas
himself.
CHAPTER VII -- POLYCARP IS FOUND BY HIS
PURSUERS.
His pursuers then, along with horsemen,
and taking the youth with them, went forth at supper-time on the day of the
preparation? with their usual weapons, as if going out against a robber. And
being come about evening [to the place where he was], they found him lying down
in the upper room of a certain little house, from which he might have escaped
into another place; but he refused, saying, "The will of God be
done." So when he heard that they were come, he went down and spake with
them. And as those that were present marvelled at his age and constancy, some of
them said. "Was so much effort made to capture such a venerable man?
Immediately then, in that very hour, he ordered that something to eat and drink
should be set before them, as much indeed as they cared for, while he besought
them to allow him an hour to pray without disturbance. And on their giving him
leave, he stood and prayed, being full of the grace of God, so that he could
not cease for two full hours, to the astonishment of them that heard him,
insomuch that many began to repent that they had come forth against so godly
and venerable an old man.
CHAPTER VIII -- POLYCARP IS BROUGHT INTO
THE CITY.
Now, as soon as he had ceased praying,
having made mention of all that had at any time come in contact with him, both
small and great, illustrious and obscure, as well as the whole Catholic Church
throughout the world, the time of his departure having arrived, they set him
upon an ass, and conducted him into the city, the day being that of the great
Sabbath. And the Irenarch Herod, accompanied by his father Nicetes (both riding
in a chariot), met him, and taking him up into the chariot, they seated
themselves beside him, and endeavoured to persuade him, saying, "What harm
is there in saying, Lord Caesar, and in sacrificing, with the other ceremonies
observed on such occasions, and so make sure of safety?" But he at first
gave them no answer; and when they continued to urge him, he said, "I
shall not do as you advise me." So they, having no hope of persuading him,
began to speak bitter words unto him, and cast him with violence out of the
chariot, insomuch that, in getting down from the carriage, he dislocated his
leg [by the fall]. But without being disturbed, and as if suffering nothing, he
went eagerly forward with all haste, and was conducted to the stadium, where the
tumult was so great, that there was no possibility of being heard.
CHAPTER IX -- POLYCARP REFUSES TO REVILE
CHRIST.
Now, as Polycarp was entering into the
stadium, there came to him a voice from heaven, saying, "Be strong, and
show thyself a man, O Polycarp !" No one saw who it was that spoke to him;
but those of our brethren who were present heard the voice. And as he was
brought forward, the tumult became great when they heard that Polycarp was
taken. And when he came near, the proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp.
On his confessing that he was, [the proconsul] sought to persuade him to deny
[Christ], saying, "Have respect to thy old age," and other similar
things, according to their custom, [such as]," Swear by the fortune of
Caesar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists." But Polycarp, gazing
with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the
stadium, and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to
heaven, said, "Away with the Atheists." Then, the proconsul urging
him, and saying, "Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach
Christ;" Polycarp declared, "Eighty and six years have I served Him,
and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my
Saviour?"
CHAPTER X -- POLYCARP CONFESSES HIMSELF A
CHRISTIAN.
And when the proconsul yet again pressed
him, and said, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar," he answered,
"Since thou art vainly urgent that, as thou sayest, I should swear by the
fortune of Caesar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me
declare with boldness, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the
doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear
them." The proconsul replied, "Persuade the people." But
Polycarp said, "To thee I have thought it right to offer an account [of my
faith]; for we are taught to give all due honour (which entails no injury upon
ourselves) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God. But as for
these, I do not deem them worthy of receiving any account from me."
CHAPTER XI -- NO THREATS HAVE ANY EFFECT
ON POLYCARP.
The proconsul then said to him, "I
have wild beasts at hand; to these will I cast thee, except thou repent."
But he answered, "Call them then, for we are not accustomed to repent of
what is good in order to adopt that which is evil; and it is well for me to be
changed from what is evil to what is righteous." But again the proconsul
said to him, "I will cause thee to be consumed by fire, seeing thou
despisest the wild beasts, if thou wilt not repent." But Polycarp said,
"Thou threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a
little is extinguished, but art ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and
of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring
forth what thou wilt."
CHAPTER XII -- POLYCARP IS SENTENCED TO BE
BURNED.
While he spoke these and many other like
things, he was filled with confidence and joy, and his countenance was full of
grace, so that not merely did it not fall as if troubled by the things said to
him, but, on the contrary, the proconsul was astonished, and sent his herald to
proclaim in the midst of the stadium thrice, "Polycarp has confessed that
he is a Christian." This proclamation having been made by the herald, the
whole multitude both of the heathen and Jews, who dwelt at Smyrna, cried out
with uncontrollable fury, and in a loud voice, "This is the teacher of
Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods, he who has
been teaching many not to sacrifice, or to worship the gods." Speaking
thus, they cried out, and besought Philip the Asiarch to let loose a lion upon
Polycarp. But Philip answered that it was not lawful for him to do so, seeing
the shows of wild beasts were already finished. Then it seemed good to them to
cry out with one consent, that Polycarp should be burnt alive. For thus it
behooved the vision which was revealed to him in regard to his pillow to be
fulfilled, when, seeing it on fire as he was praying, he turned about and said
prophetically to the faithful that were with him," I must be burnt
alive."
CHAPTER XIII -- THE FUNERAL PILE IS
ERECTED,
This, then, was carried into effect with
greater speed than it was spoken, the multitudes immediately gathering together
wood and fagots out of the shops and baths; the Jews especially, according to
custom, eagerly assisting them in it. And when the funeral pile was ready,
Polycarp, laying aside all his garments, and loosing his girdle, sought also to
take off his sandals,--a thing he was not accustomed to do, inasmuch as every
one of the faithful was always eager who should first touch his skin. For, on
account of his holy life, he was, even before his martyrdom, adorned with every
kind of good. Immediately then they surrounded him with those substances which
had been prepared for the funeral pile. But when they were about also to fix
him with nails, he said, "Leave me as I am; for He that giveth me strength
to endure the fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to
remain without moving in the pile."
CHAPTER XIV -- THE PRAYER OF POLYCARP.
They did not nail him then, but simply
bound him. And he, placing his hands behind him, and being bound like a
distinguished ram [taken] out of a great flock for sacrifice, and prepared to
be an acceptable burnt-offering unto God, looked up to heaven, and said,
"O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus
Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and
powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live
before thee, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me, worthy of this day
and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the
cup of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body,
through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be
accepted this day before Thee as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, according as
Thou, the ever-truthful God, hast fore-ordained, hast revealed beforehand to
me, and now hast fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things, I
bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus
Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both
now and to all coming ages. Amen."
CHAPTER XV -- POLYCARP IS NOT INJURED BY
THE FIRE.
When he had pronounced this amen, and so
finished his prayer, those who were appointed for the purpose kindled the fire.
And as the flame blazed forth in great fury, we, to whom it was given to
witness it, beheld a great miracle, and have been preserved that we might
report to others what then took place. For the fire, shaping itself into the
form of an arch, like the sail of a ship when filled with the wind, encompassed
as by a circle the body of the martyr. And he appeared within not like flesh
which is burnt, but as bread that is baked, or as gold and silver glowing in a
furnace. Moreover, we perceived such a sweet odour [coming from the pile], as
if frankincense or some such precious spices had been smoking there.
CHAPTER XVI -- POLYCARP IS PIERCED BY A
DAGGER.
At length, when those wicked men perceived
that his body could not be consumed by the fire, they commanded an executioner
to go near and pierce him through with a dagger. And on his doing this, there
came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was
extinguished; and all the people wondered that there should be such a
difference between the unbelievers and the elect, of whom this most admirable
Polycarp was one, having in our own times been an apostolic and prophetic
teacher, and bishop of the Catholic Church which is in Smyrna. For every word
that went out of his mouth either has been or shall yet be accomplished.
CHAPTER XVII -- THE CHRISTIANS ARE REFUSED
POLYCARP'S BODY.
But when the adversary of the race of the
righteous, the envious, malicious, and wicked one, perceived the impressive
nature of his martyrdom, and [considered] the blameless life he had led from
the beginning, and how he was now crowned with the wreath of immortality,
having beyond dispute received his reward, he did his utmost that not the least
memorial of him should be taken away by us, although many desired to do this,
and to become possessors of his holy flesh. For this end he suggested it to
Nicetes, the father of Herod and brother of Alce, to go and entreat the
governor not to give up his body to be buried, "lest," said he,
"forsaking Him that was crucified, they begin to worship this one."
This he said at the suggestion and urgent persuasion of the Jews, who also
watched us, as we sought to take him out of the fire, being ignorant of this,
that it is neither possible for us ever to forsake Christ, who suffered for the
salvation of such as shall be saved throughout the whole world (the blameless
one for sinners), nor to worship any other. For Him indeed, as being the Son of
God, we adore; but the martyrs, as disciples and followers of the Lord, we
worthily love on account of their extraordinary affection towards their own
King and Master, of whom may we also be made companions and fellow-disciples!
CHAPTER XVIII -- THE BODY OF POLYCARP IS
BURNED.
The centurion then, seeing the strife
excited by the Jews, placed the body in the midst of the fire, and consumed it.
Accordingly, we afterwards took up his bones, as being more precious than the
most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold, and deposited them in a
fitting place, whither, being gathered together, as opportunity is allowed us,
with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us to celebrate the anniversary of
his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already finished their course,
and for the exercising and preparation of those yet to walk in their steps.
CHAPTER XIX -- PRAISE OF THE MARTYR
POLYCARP.
This, then, is the account of the blessed
Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those
also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all
men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was
not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose
martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent with the
Gospel of Christ. For, having through patience overcome the unjust governor,
and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all
the righteous[in heaven], rejoicingly glorifies God, even the Father, and
blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of our souls, the Governor of our
bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church throughout the world.
CHAPTER XX -- THIS EPISTLE IS TO BE
TRANSMITTED TO THE BRETHREN.
Since, then, ye requested that we would at
large make you acquainted with what really took place, we have for the present
sent you this summary account through our brother Marcus. When, therefore, ye
have yourselves read this Epistle, be pleased to send it to the brethren at a
greater distance, that they also may glorify the Lord, who makes such choice of
His own servants. To Him who is able to bring us all by His grace and goodness
into his everlasting kingdom, through His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, to
Him be glory, and honour, and power, and majesty, for ever. Amen. Salute all
the saints. They that are with us salute you, and Evarestus, who wrote this
Epistle, with all his house.
CHAPTER XXI -- THE DATE OF THE MARTYRDOM.
Now, the blessed Polycarp suffered
martyrdom on the second day of the month Xanthicus just begun, the seventh day
before the Kalends of May, on the great Sabbath, at the eighth hour. He was
taken by Herod, Philip the Trallian being high priest, Statius Quadratus being
proconsul, but Jesus Christ being King for ever, to whom be glory, honour,
majesty, and an everlasting throne, from generation to generation. Amen.
CHAPTER XXII -- SALUTATION.
We wish you, brethren, all happiness,
while you walk according to the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; with
whom be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the salvation of His
holy elect, after whose example the blessed Polycarp suffered, following in
whose steins may we too be found in the kingdom of Jesus Christ!
These things Caius transcribed from the
copy of Irenaeus (who was a disciple of Polycarp), having himself been intimate
with Irenaeus. And I Socrates transcribed them at Corinth from the copy of
Caius. Grace be with you all.
And I again, Pionius, wrote them from the
previously written copy, having carefully searched into them, and the blessed
Polycarp having manifested them to me through a revelation, even as I shall
show in what follows. I have collected these things, when they had almost faded
away through the lapse of time, that the Lord Jesus Christ may also gather me
along with His elect into His heavenly kingdom, to whom, with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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