The Fathers
The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp 17, 3 (c. 156 AD)
“Christ we worship as the Son of God, but the martyrs we love as disciples
and imitators of the Lord; and rightly so, because of their unsurpassable
devotion to their own King and Teacher. With them may we also become
companions and fellow disciples. When the centurion saw the
contentiousness caused by the Jews, he confiscated the body, and,
according to their custom, burned it. Then, at least, we took up his bones,
more precious than costly gems and finer than gold, and put them in a
suitable place. The Lord will permit us, when we are able, to assemble
there in joy and gladness, and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom,
both in memory of those who have already engaged in the contest, and for
the practice and training of those who have yet to fight.”
St. Jerome, Letter to Riparius 109, 1 (404 AD)
“We, it is true, refuse to worship or adore, I say not the relics of the
martyrs, but even the sun and moon, the angels and archangels, the
Cherubim and Seraphim and ‘every name that is named, not only in this
world but also in that which is to come.’ For we may not serve the creature
rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Still we honor the relics of
the martyrs, that we may adore Him whose martyrs they are. We honor the
servants that their honor may be reflected upon their Lord who Himself
says: ‘he that receives you receives me.’ I ask Vigilantius, Are the relics of
Peter and of Paul unclean? Was the body of Moses unclean, of which we
are told (according to the correct Hebrew text) that it was buried by the
Lord Himself? And do we, every time that we enter the basilicas of apostles
and prophets and martyrs, pay homage to the shrines of idols? Are the
tapers which burn before their tombs only the tokens of idolatry.”
St. Augustine of Hippo, The City of God Bk. 1, Ch. 13 (ante 413 AD)
“The bodies of the dead, nevertheless, are not to be despised and thrown
aside, and least of all, those of the righteous and faithful, which were used
in a chaste manner by the Spirit as the organs and vessels for all good
works.”
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