Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr (69-155)
by VP
Posted on Friday January 26, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
St. Polycarp, having discharged the duty of a good shepherd, was apprehended in his old age by the heathens, and condemned to the fire: in which, in the midst of the amphitheatre, crowded with an insulting multitude, he offered himself a grateful sacrifice to God. But the flames forming an arch, encircled his body, which appeared bright through the fire, sending forth a most fragrant odour. The infidels, exasperated at this miracle, ordered a spearman to pierce him through; and such a quantity of blood issued from his side, as to quench the fire.
Pray for all those who are exposed to difficulties, and any ways suffer, on account of their faith. Be not angry at the reproaches of insulting adversaries. Have compassion on their blindness, and bear with them; for such patience has the promise of a
crown. Offer yourself to suffer whatever Almighty God shall ordain for
you. Be ashamed to sink under ordinary troubles: these are but the trials of your fidelity. They are to make you sensible of your own weakness, and of your necessary dependance on God. And as for extraordinary ones, if you cannot find remedy, offer yourself to them, as to the fire which is to consummate the sacrifice, which you have made of yourself to Almighty God." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
From the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
"Chapter 6. The duties of presbyters and others: And let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always "providing for that which is becoming in the sight of God and man;" (Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:31) abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unjust judgment; keeping far off from all covetousness, not quickly crediting [an evil report] against any one, not severe in judgment, as knowing that we are all under a debt of sin. If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; (Matthew 6:12-14) for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and "we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself." (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]. Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offense, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error.
Chapter 7. Avoid the Docetæ, and persevere in fasting and prayer: "For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;" (1 John 4:3) and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from the beginning; "watching unto prayer," (1 Peter 4:7) and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God "not to lead us into temptation," (Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41) as the Lord has said: "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38)."
Prayer:
Watch over the purity of our holy Faith, and preserve us from being deceived by false teachers. The error which thou didst combat, and which teaches that all the mysteries of the Incarnation are but empty symbols, has risen up again in these our days. There are Marcions, even now, who would reduce all religion to myths; and they find some few followers; may thy powerful prayers rid the world of this remnant of so impious a doctrine. Amen.
Dom Gueranger, The Liturgical Year, St. Polycarp
