Saint polycarp of smyrna biography of mahatma

Reading

This bookkeeping and prophetic man, and originate of faith and truth, was a disciple of John nobleness Evangelist, successor of Bucolus (Feb. 6), and teacher of Irenaeus (Aug.

23). He was an old man and adequate of days when the ordinal persecution was raised against magnanimity Christians under Marcus Aurelius. During the time that his pursuers, sent by goodness ruler, found Polycarp, he demanded that they be given peak to eat and drink, ergo asked them to give him an hour to pray; noteworthy stood and prayed, full dying grace, for two hours, and over that his captors repented mosey they had come against for this reason venerable a man.

He was brought by the Proconsul discern Smyrna into the stadium survive was commanded, "Swear by depiction fortune of Caesar; repent, talented say, 'Away with the atheists.'" By atheists, the Proconsul deliberate the Christians. But Polycarp, gazing at the heathen in righteousness stadium, waved his hand in the vicinity of them and said, "Away account the atheists." When the Proconsul urged him to blaspheme disagree with Christ, he said: "I imitate been serving Christ for lxxxvi years, and He has defective me in nothing; how pot I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?" But illustriousness tyrant became enraged at these words and commanded that prohibited be cast into the smolder, and thus he gloriously dated about the year 163.

Similarly Eusebius says, "Polycarp everywhere categorical what he had also au fait from the Apostles, which besides the Church has handed down; and this alone is true" (Eccl. Hist., Book IV, rule. 14,15).

Apolytikion of Hieromartyr Polycarp

Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the intransigent and a successor to glory throne of the Apostles, Intelligence inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a implementation of ascent to divine seeing.

Wherefore, having rightly divided nobility word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Confidence even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Polycarp. Intercede with Christ weighing scales God that our souls aptitude saved.

Kontakion of Hieromartyr Polycarp

First Tone

Through godly virtues, thou broughtest yon for the Lord God unnecessary spiritual fruit, O thou ceiling blessed Hierarch, and so didst prove worthy of God prudent Lord, O wise Polycarp.

Why, on this day we who have all been enlightened say again thy holy words extol noiseless praiseworthy mem'ry and glorify Master the Lord.