The
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Chapter
I.-Subject of Which We Write. |
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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. |
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Chapter
II.-The Wonderful Constancy of the Martyrs. |
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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]. |
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Chapter
III.-The Constancy of Germanicus. The Death of Polycarp is Demanded. |
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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!" |
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Chapter
IV.-Quintus the Apostate. |
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Now
one named Quintus, a Phrygian, who was but lately come from |
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Chapter
V.-The Departure and Vision of Polycarp. |
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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." |
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Chapter
VI.-Polycarp is Betrayed by a Servant. |
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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. |
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Chapter
VII.-Polycarp is Found by His Pursuers. |
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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. |
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Chapter
VIII.-Polycarp is Brought into the City. |
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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. |
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Chapter
IX.- Polycarp Refuses to Revile Christ. |
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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?
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Chapter
X.-Polycarp Confesses Himself a Christian. |
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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." |
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Chapter
XI.-No Threats Have Any Effect on Polycarp. |
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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." |
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Chapter
XII.-Polycarp is Sentenced to Be Burned. |
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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." |
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Chapter
XIII.-The Funeral Pile is Erected. |
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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." |
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Chapter
XIV.-The Prayer of Polycarp. |
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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." |
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Chapter
XV.-Polycarp is Not Injured by the Fire. |
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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. |
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Chapter
XVI.-Polycarp is Pierced by a Dagger. |
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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. |
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Chapter
XVII.-The Christians are Refused Polycarp's Body. |
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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! |
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Chapter
XVIII.-The Body of Polycarp is Burned. |
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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. |
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Chapter
XIX.-Praise of the Martyr Polycarp. |
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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. |
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Chapter
XX.-This Epistle is to Be Transmitted to the Brethren. |
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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. |
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Chapter
XXI.-The Date of the Martyrdom. |
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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. |
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Chapter
XXII.-Salutation. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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From:
http://www.ccel.org/ |