Polycarp

26, 2015 THEO 60250: Intro to Early Church Themes within the Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp Martyrdom, having its prominence during the third and fourth centuries, lasted for approximately 300 years under many different rulers. Emperors were intolerant toward Christianity and responded by putting Christians on trial, asking them to deny their faith or lose their life. The Christian martyrs who clung to their Christian faith showed the Spirit at work with their depth of discipleship. Similar to the martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Perpetua, and Felicity, Saint Polycarp exemplified themes of Liturgy, veneration of the martyrs, and imitation of Christ. However, the narrative of Polycarp’s martyrdom…

Born in 69 A.D. and died in 155 A.D., Polycarp was raised Christian and elected Bishop of the Church at Smyrna. Not a very learned man; simple, but very much in love with the person of Jesus Christ and a friend of St. John the Evangelist, Polycarp defended Jesus’ humanity and divinity fighting against the Docetists and the Gnostics. Most remembered for his martyrdom, his death gives witness to Jesus human nature. Taken to Rome, Polycarp was condemned for his faith before a Roman audience. As…

Polycarp (ca. 69-ca. 155) a priest in the town of Smyrdom, Asia Minor, is the earliest known martyr since the New Testament. Significantly, Polycarp was the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of St. John. His life and testimony should serve as an example for all Christians to follow. He put his faith and trust in the Holy, Living God. Knowing, that worshiping the creator God would bring persecution. Yet despite this, he still worshiped his heavenly Father and…

all the conversions. Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, an example of a Church Father, is known for his loyalty to the catholic Church, and is one of the few Christians whose writings survived Saint Polycarp was born in Smyrna, Turkey in 69 A.D., which was when the New Testament was being written. Throughout his life he befriended Church figures such as Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint John, who converted him to Christianity. He later died in 156 A.D. when Roman soldiers took him to the local…

Fathers is used to describe a group of early Christian writings produced in the late 1st and 2nd century . They are (Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias, and authors of the Epistle to Barnabas). Their works include the “Didache”. Didache used as Christian teaching manual for new converts. “The Didache is considered part of the category of second-generation Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers” (Wikipedia). The Didache is extremely important in proving the authenticity of the New…

He feasting the guards and at that time he prayed with such fervency, that guards repented that they are taking him, when Polycarp thought he could escape, the guards told him he would be carry by the proconsul and burnt in the market place. At the market place the proconsul urged him to say I will release you if you reproach Christ. Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?" (ca 69-ca 155) At…

Ignatius was a contemporary of Peter and Paul. According to tradition, he was a friend of Polycarp, it is believed that John taught Polycarp and Irenaeus, therefore these men were all disciple of John. Tradition holds that Peter and Paul left instructions that Ignatius should be made a bishop. Subsequently, he was consecrated bishop of Antioch. Legend holds that Ignatius was one of the children that Jesus received and blessed when He said, let the little children come to me. When he was the…

the work that they did. As a reader, they are bearing witness to these struggles and therefore getting closer to God as they read. This can also be compared to the hagiography of Polycarp (Polycarp) . Polycarp suffered by challenging imperial authority like Perpetua. Their Martyrdom shows the importance of early Christian writers in writing hagiographies. Although the dates are unclear on exactly when all of them were written this does not dampen the fact that its historically valid and…

with about 200,000 residents. Strabo, the Greek historian called Smyrna “the most beautiful city in the world.” Aristides, the poet and songwriter stated, “it is the fairest of the cite of Ionia,” (a region along the west coast of Turkey.) This was the birthplace of Homer, the poet. John the Apostle took the gospel to Smyrna. Some of the Pagan temples of Rome were turned into Christian worship centers. In the far corner of the old market place you can see a small part of that still remains …

He was, at first, influenced by Polycarp’s testimony which made him want to learn more. Polycarp’s, who was a disciple of John the Evangelist, became his mentor. This is most likely the only major schooling he did, besides his writings. Furthermore, Polycarp was just one of the few recorded people to interact with Irenaeus. There are some other recording of his succeeding the martyr of Saint Pothinus and also sending a letter to Pope Eleuterus. Another record states that he also persuaded Pope…