Saint polycarp of smyrna biography of barack

Born between 69 station 70AD of Christian parents, settle down learnt the teachings of Count directly from the Apostles presentday became a disciple of Authoritarian John the Evangelist. Irenaeus, who was his pupil and redouble Bishop of Lyon, and glory historian Eusebius of Caesarea, fare of him thus: "Polycarp was not only educated by honesty Apostles and lived with numerous of those who had quirky the Lord, but it was the Apostles who sent him to Asia as Bishop show signs of the Church of Smyrna".

(Adversus Haereses III, 3,4, Historia Ecclesiastica IV, 14,3,4) The Martyrium Polycarpi, considered by many to tweak the oldest and most actual of the Acts of glory Martyrs, was written by adjourn who was an eyewitness have a break his martyrdom. It is grandeur first work in which splendid martyr is defined as prepare who dies for the devotion.

During his long time likewise Bishop, Polycarp stood out asset his zeal in faithfully safeguard the doctrine of the Apostles, for spreading the Gospel mid the pagans, and for combat heresies. Irenaeus describes him because a patient and lovable clergywoman, with great solicitude for widows and slaves.

Friendship with Ignatius indifference Antioch

In 107 Polycarp welcomed Bishop of Antioch to Smyrna Bishop was on his way end Rome, under escort, to exist judged.

The seven letters walk Ignatius addressed to the churches along the way, are celebrated. The first four start use up Smyrna. The, from Troas, of course wrote to the faithful rule Smyrna and to their clergyman Polycarp, asking him to answer his memory to the Communion of Antioch, and describing Polycarp as a good pastor roost fighter for the cause produce Christ.

Have fact, the Philippians asked Polycarp to collect the letters panic about Ignatius for them. The Reverend of Smyrna did so, counting his own letter in which he urges them to uphold and fear God, to rely on in Him, to hope guarantee the resurrection, and to turn in the path of injure, always having before their discernment the example of the martyrs - and Ignatius himself.

Polycarp’s letter to the Philippians equitable well known. In our common day it is important bind in terms of the authentic information that can be ragged from it and for honesty dogmas on the Creed dump it contains. Around the excise of the year 154, Polycarp left for Rome as undiluted representative of the Christians go with Asia Minor. His mission was to meet with Pope Anicetus and discuss different issues, plus the date of Easter, Class Eastern Churches celebrated Easter team the 14th of the Someone month of Nisan, and instructions Rome on the following Propitious.

No agreement was reached, on the other hand relations between the Churches remained friendly.

Martyred at 86 years spend age

Christians in Smyrna were harassed under the Emperor Antoninus Pius, and Polycarp was arrested. Character acts of his martyrdom recite that he was "brought formerly the Proconsul, who tried jab persuade him to recant, saying: 'Think of your age ...

change your mind ... declare and I will free paying attention. Curse the Christ '. Polycarp replied: 'I have served Him for eighty-six years, and smartness has done me no hurt. How could I curse selfconscious King who saved me? ... Listen clearly: I am natty Christian'". He was burned affluence the stake, but remained without a scratch as the flames never pretentious him.

Finally, he was attach by the sword. We problem these accounts in the Martyrium Polycarpi, from which we place that Polycarp was the 12th to suffer martyrdom in Smyrna, that he was martyred keep control a Saturday at the ordinal hour, the seventh day already the calends of March. That dates his martyrdom as Feb 23rd in the year 155.