GlobalChristians

Martyrdom Of Polycarp

Translated by J.B. Lightfoot. Adapt. and mod. (c) 1990. ATHENA DATA PRODUCTS

MartPoly prologue:1

The church of God which sojourneth at Smyrna to the Church of God

which sojourneth 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.



MartPoly 1:1

   We write unto you, brethren, an account of what befell those

that suffered martyrdom and especially the blessed Polycarp, who

stayed 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



MartPoly 1:2

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 concerneth ourselves, but also to that which

concerneth our neighbors. For it is the office of true and

steadfast love, not only to desire that oneself be saved, but all the

brethren also.



MartPoly 2:1

   Blessed therefore and noble are all the martyrdoms which have taken

place according to the will of God (for it behoveth us to be very

scrupulous and to assign to God the power over all things).



MartPoly 2:2

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.



MartPoly 2:3

And giving heed unto 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 hath heard nor eye

hath seen, neither 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.



MartPoly 2:4

And in like manner also those that were condemned to the wild beasts

endured fearful punishments, being made to lie on sharp shells and

buffeted with other forms of manifold 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.



MartPoly 3:1

   But thanks be to God; for He verily prevailed against all. For the

right noble Germanicus encouraged their timorousness through the

constancy which was in him; and he fought with the wild beasts in a

signal way. For when the proconsul wished to prevail upon him and

bade him 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.



MartPoly 3:2

So after this all the multitude, marvelling 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.'



MartPoly 4:1

   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, brethren, we praise not

those who deliver themselves up, since the Gospel doth not so teach

us.



MartPoly 5:1

   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 men and for the

churches throughout the world; for this was his constant habit.



MartPoly 5:2

And while praying he falleth into a trance three days before his

apprehension; and he saw his pillow burning with fire. And he turned

and said unto those that were with him: 'It must needs be that I

shall be burned alive.'



MartPoly 6:1

   And as those that were in search of him persisted, he departed to

another farm; and forthwith they that were in search of him came up;

and not finding him, they seized two slave lads, one of whom

confessed under torture;



MartPoly 6:2

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 chanced 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.



MartPoly 7:1

   So taking the lad with them, on the Friday about the supper hour,

the gendarmes and horsemen went forth with their accustomed arms,

hastening as against a robber. And coming up in a body late in the

evening, they found the man himself in bed in an upper chamber in a

certain cottage; and though he might have departed thence to another

place, he would not, saying, The will of God be done.



MartPoly 7:2

So when he heard that they were come, he went down and conversed with

them, the bystanders marvelling at his age and his constancy, and

wondering how there should be so much eagerness for the apprehension

of an old man like him. Thereupon forthwith 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 unmolested;



MartPoly 7:3

and on their consenting, he stood up and prayed, being so full of the

grace of God, that for two hours he could not hold his peace, and

those that heard were amazed, and many repented that they had come

against such a venerable old man.



MartPoly 8:1

   But when at length 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 being come, they seated him on an ass and brought

him into the city, it being a high Sabbath.



MartPoly 8:2

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 thyself?' But he at first gave them no answer.

When however they persisted, he said, 'I am not going to do what ye

counsel me.'



MartPoly 8:3

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.



MartPoly 9:1

   But as Polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from

heaven; 'Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.' And no one saw the

speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice.

And at length, when he was brought up, there was a great tumult, for

they heard that Polycarp had been apprehended.



MartPoly 9:2

When then he was brought before him, the proconsul enquired whether

he were the man. And on his confessing that he was, he tried to

persuade him to a denial saying, 'Have respect to thine age,' and

other things in accordance therewith, as it is their wont to say;

'Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, Away with the

atheists.' Then Polycarp with solemn countenance 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.'



MartPoly 9:3

But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, 'Swear the oath,

and I will release thee; revile the Christ,' Polycarp said,

'Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me

no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?'



MartPoly 10:1

   But on his persisting again and saying, 'Swear by the genius of

Caesar,' he answered, 'If thou supposest vainly that I will swear by

the genius of Caesar, as thou sayest, and feignest that thou art

ignorant who I am, hear thou plainly, I am a Christian. But if thou

wouldest learn the doctrine of Christianity, assign a day and give me

a hearing.'



MartPoly 10:2

The proconsul said; 'Prevail upon the people.' But Polycarp said; 'As

for thyself, I should have held thee worthy of discourse; for we have

been taught to render, as is meet, 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.'



MartPoly 11:1

   Whereupon the proconsul said; 'I have wild beasts here and I will

throw thee to them, except thou 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 untowardness to

righteousness'



MartPoly 11:2

Then he said to him again, 'I will cause thee to be consumed by fire,

if thou despisest the wild beasts, unless thou repent.' But Polycarp

said; 'Thou threatenest that fire which burneth for a season and

after a little while is quenched: for thou art ignorant of the fire

of the future judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for

the ungodly. But why delayest thou? Come, do what thou wilt.'



MartPoly 12:1

   Saying these things and more besides, he was inspired with courage

and joy, and his countenance 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 hath

confessed himself to be a Christian.'



MartPoly 12:2

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 teacheth numbers

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

sports to a close.



MartPoly 12:3

Then they thought fit to shout out with one accord that Polycarp

should be burned alive. For it must needs 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 needs

be burned alive.'



MartPoly 13:1

   These things then happened with so great speed, quicker than words

could tell, the crowds forthwith collecting from the workshops and

baths timber and faggots, and the Jews more especially assisting in

this with zeal, as is their wont.



MartPoly 13:2

But when the pile was made ready, divesting himself of all his upper

garments and loosing his girdle, he endeavored 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.



MartPoly 13:3

Forthwith then the instruments that were prepared for the pile 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 hath granted me to

endure the fire will grant me also to remain at the pile unmoved,

even without the security which ye seek from the nails.'



MartPoly 14:1

   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 Thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ,

through whom we have received the knowledge of Thee,

the God of angels and powers and of all creation

   and of the whole race of the righteous, who live in Thy presence;



MartPoly 14:2

I bless Thee for that Thou hast granted me this day and hour,

that I might receive a portion amongst the number of martyrs

   in the cup of [Thy] Christ unto resurrection of eternal life,

both of soul and of body,

in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit.

May I be received among these in Thy presence this day,

as a rich and acceptable sacrifice,

as Thou didst prepare and reveal it beforehand,

and hast accomplished it,

   Thou that art the faithful and true God.



MartPoly 14:3

For this cause, yea and for all things,

   I praise Thee, I bless Thee,

I glorify Thee, through the eternal and heavenly High-priest,

   Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son,

   through whom with Him and the Holy Spirit be glory

      both now [and ever] and for the ages to come. Amen.'



MartPoly 15:1

   When he had offered up the Amen and finished his prayer, the firemen

lighted the fire. And, a mighty flame flashing forth, we to whom it

was given to see, saw a marvel, yea and we were preserved that we

might relate to the rest what happened.



MartPoly 15:2

The fire, making the appearance of a vault, like the sail of a vessel

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.



MartPoly 16:1

   So at length 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 marvelled that there should be so great a

difference between the unbelievers and the elect.



MartPoly 16:2

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.



MartPoly 17:1

   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 gainsay,

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.



MartPoly 17:2

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.



MartPoly 17:3

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.



MartPoly 18:1

   The centurion therefore, seeing the opposition raised on the part of

the Jews, set him in the midst and burnt him after their custom.



MartPoly 18:2

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;



MartPoly 18:3

where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together, as we are

able, in gladness and joy, and to celebrate the birth-day 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.



MartPoly 19:1

   So it befell 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 men, 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.



MartPoly 19:2

Having by his endurance overcome the unrighteous ruler in the

conflict and so received the crown of immortality, he rejoiceth in

company with the Apostles and all righteous men, and glorifieth the

Almighty God and Father, and blesseth 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.



MartPoly 20:1

   Ye indeed required that the things which happened should be shown

unto you at greater length: but we for the present have certified you

as it were in a summary through our brother Marcianus. When then ye

have informed yourselves of these things, send the letter about

likewise to the brethren which are farther off, that they also may

glorify the Lord, who maketh election from His own servants.



MartPoly 20:2

Now unto Him that is able to bring us all by His grace and bounty

unto His eternal kingdom, through His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ,

be glory, honor, power, and greatness for ever. Salute all the

saints. They that are with us salute you, and Euarestus, who wrote

the letter, with his whole house.



MartPoly 21:1

   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 apprehended 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.



MartPoly 22:1

   We bid you God speed, brethren, while ye 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.



MartPoly 22:2

   This account Gaius copied from the papers of Irenaeus, a disciple of

Polycarp. The same also lived with Irenaeus.



MartPoly 22:3

And I Socrates wrote it down in Corinth from the copy of Gaius. Grace

be with all men.



MartPoly 22:4

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 the sequel), gathering it together

when it was now well nigh 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.

{2*** THE THREE PROCEEDING PARAGRAPHS AS READ IN THE MOSCOW MS. ***}2

{9



MartPoly 22:2

   This account Gaius copied from the papers of Irenaeus. The same lived

with Irenaeus who had been a disciple of the holy Polycarp. For this

Irenaeus, being in Rome at the time of the martyrdom of the bishop

Polycarp, instructed many; and many most excellent and orthodox

treatises by him are in circulation. In these he makes mention of

Polycarp, saying that he was taught by him. And he ably refuted every

heresy, and handed down the catholic rule of the Church just as he

had received it from the saint. He mentions this fact also, that when

Marcion, after whom the Marcionites are called, met the holy Polycarp

on one occasion, and said 'Recognize us, Polycarp,' he said in reply

to Marcion, 'Yes indeed, I recognize the firstborn of Satan.' The

following statement also is made in the writings of Irenaeus, that on

the very day and hour when Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna Irenaeus

being in the city of the Romans heard a voice as of a trumpet saying,

' Polycarp is martyred.'



MartPoly 22:3

From these papers of Irenaeus then, as has been stated already, Gaius

made a copy, and from the copy of Gaius Isocrates made another in

Corinth.



MartPoly 22:4

And I Pionius again wrote it down from the copy of Isocrates, having

searched for it in obedience to a revelation of the holy Polycarp,

gathering it together, when it was well nigh 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 Son

and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.