Polycarp (/ˈpɒlikɑːrp/; Greek: Πολύκαρπος, Polýkarpos; Latin: Polycarpus; AD 69–155) was a Christian bishop of Smyrna.[3] According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body.[4] Polycarp is regarded as a saint and Church Father in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism.

Both Irenaeus[5] and Tertullian[6] say that Polycarp had been a disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus's disciples. In On Illustrious Men, Jerome similarly writes that Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle, who had ordained him as a bishop of Smyrna.[7] Polycarp is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch.

Surviving writings and early accounts

The sole surviving work attributed to him is the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, a mosaic of references to the Septuagint, which, along with an account of the Martyrdom of Polycarp, forms part of the collection of writings called Apostolic Fathers. After the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the death of Stephen, the Martyrdom is considered one of the earliest genuine accounts of a Christian martyrdom.[3] Charles E. Hill argues extensively that the teachings Irenaeus ascribes to a certain apostolic presbyter throughout his writings represent lost teachings of Polycarp, his teacher.[8] Within the lost epistle of Irenaeus to Florinus as cited by Eusebius within his Ecclesiastical History book 5.20. we observe Irenaeus make mention of multiple epistles authored by him to the neighbouring churches and to certain individuals.

Some scholars (e.g., Hans von Campenhausen)[9] attribute the pastoral epistles—the biblical books 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and the Epistle to Titus—to Polycarp. Since the text of those books includes attribution to Paul, this theory regarding Polycarp's authorship places the books in the category of pseudepigrapha.

Life

The chief sources of information concerning the life of Polycarp are The Martyrdom of Polycarp, Against Heresies, The Epistle to Florinus, the epistles of Ignatius, and Polycarp's own letter to the Philippians. In 1999, the Harris Fragments, a collection of 3rd- to 6th-century Coptic texts that mention Polycarp, were published.[10]

According to Irenaeus, Polycarp was a companion of Papias, another "hearer of John", and a correspondent of Ignatius of Antioch which the document titled The Martyrdom of Ignatius confirms:

Mosaic of Saint Polycarp from the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy

Ignatius addressed a letter to Polycarp and mentions him in his letters to the Ephesians and to the Magnesians.[12] Polycarp's epistle to the Philippians gives us some insights to the early usage of early Christian texts from the quotes used within his letter.[13] Irenaeus regarded the memory of Polycarp as a link to the apostolic past. In his letter to Florinus, a fellow student of Polycarp, Irenaeus relates how and when he became a Christian:[14]

I could tell you the place where the blessed Polycarp sat to preach the Word of God. It is yet present to my mind with what gravity he everywhere came in and went out; what was the sanctity of his deportment, the majesty of his countenance; and what were his holy exhortations to the people. I seem to hear him now relate how he conversed with John and many others who had seen Jesus Christ, the words he had heard from their mouths.[15]

In particular, Irenaeus had heard the account of Polycarp's discussion with John and with others who had seen Jesus. Irenaeus reports that Polycarp was converted to Christianity by apostles, was consecrated a presbyter, and communicated with many who had seen Jesus. He writes that he had had the good fortune, when young, to know Polycarp, who was then far advanced in years.[16]