Memorial Day of the Hieromartyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (08/03)

Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was born around 80 and resided in the city of Smyrna, Asia Minor. Orphaned early, Polycarp was raised, at Angel's behest, by the pious widow Callista.

After the death of his named mother, Polycarp distributed his estate and began to lead a chaste life, serving the sick and infirm.

Polycarp was greatly loved and brought closer to him by the holy bishop of Smyrna, Vukol. He ordained Polycarp as a deacon, instructing him to preach the Word of God in the temple.

At the time when Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161—180) ascended the Roman throne, one of the most severe persecution was directed at Christians. The pagans demanded that the judge look for Saint Polycarp — « father of all Christians» and « comrade of all Asia».

At this time, Saint Polycarp, at the urgent request of his flock, was in a small village near Smyrna. When the soldiers came for him, Saint Polycarp came out to meet them and ordered them to be fed, and at that time he himself began to pray, preparing for the martyrdom.

The suffering and death of St. Polycarp are described in the «Message of Christians of the Smyrna Church to other Churches» — one of the most ancient monuments of Christian writing. Having been brought to trial, Saint Polycarp firmly confessed his faith in Christ and was sentenced to be burned.

The executioners wanted to nail the saint to a pole, but he calmly told them that he would not leave the fire, and he was only tied with a rope. The flames surrounded the saint, but did not touch him, closing in the air above his head. Seeing that fire did not harm him, the crowd of pagans and Jews began to demand that he be killed with the sword.

When Saint Polycarp was wounded, so much blood leaked out that it extinguished the flames. The body of the Hieromartyr Polycarp was burned. Smyrna Christians reverently collected his honest remains, sacredly honoring his memory.

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