POLYCARP

POLYCARP, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, St. (ca. 70–23 February 156). Irenaeus, through Eusebius (q.v.), tells us that Polycarp sat at the feet of Joh n the Theologian. And Irenaeus himself says the Apostles (q.v.) appointed Polycarp bishop of Smyrna and that he was his teacher. Ignatius’s (q.v.) seventh epistle (ca. 110) is addressed to the Church of Smyrna through Polycarp. In 155 Pope Anicetus and Polycarp discussed the Quartodeciman use (i.e., following the Jewish practice of observing Easter, the Christian Passover, on the fourteenth of Nisan) of the date of Easter versus the dominical (Sunday) use of Rome (q.v.). Polycarp appealed to the Apostles as his authority, while Anicetus-after centuries-was vindicated by the First Ecumenical Council (q.v.). Nevertheless, they parted as friends.

The account of Polycarp’s martyrdom is one of the classics of early Christian literature (q.v.) and the model for countless such accounts to follow. Particularly notable in the story is the interweaving of motifs taken from the Gospel narratives of Christ’s Passion and allusions to the Eucharist (q.v.). The martyrdom is described in an epistle from the Church of Smyrna to Philomelium in Phrygia, since Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna under Proconsul Statius Quadratus. It is the oldest such description, not written after the “Acts of Martyrs,” and the following points found therein are historically significant: 1) Martyrdom is an imitation of Christ’s suffering and death, and the date of death is called birth. 2) It illustrates the existence of a cult of relics (q.v.), since Polycarp’s followers “took up his remains more precious than jewels or gold.” 3) The prayer of Polycarp has both a precise Trinitarian formula and liturgical formulas.

Eusebius, using words ascribed to Irenaeus, tells of several letters of Polycarp to neighboring communities. But the only one we have today is the “Epistle to the Philippians,” which is modeled on Clement (q.v.) of Rome’s “First Epistle to the Corinthians” (ca. 100). It might be two letters combined (cf. Paul’s 2 Cor), the latest of which dates from the 130s. Four significant items may be excerpted from it: 1) the Philippians ask him for Ignatius’s letters; 2) regarding church government, there appears to be no bishop in Philippi, but only presbyters and deacons; 3) almsgiving is recommended (see Ascesis); 4) and in spite of persecution, he instructs them to pray for the civil authorities. (See Authority; Church and State.)