earnest warnings against the love of money and the Docetist heresy:
“Everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is
an Antichrist; whoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the
devil…” (The Letter(s) to the Philippians 7, 1). In addition, there are
instructions on the proper duties of presbyters and deacons as well as lay
men and women.
St. Polycarp was not an original writer but was steadfast in passing on the
Apostolic truths he learned in his youth. He had a simple pious sense of the
faith and reacted instinctively against any form of heresy. In his later years
he was pained to see the widespread growth of false doctrine and cried out
“O good God, what sort of era have you preserved me for, that I have to
suffer such things as this!”
5
After the death of St. Polycarp, his faithful congregation in Smyrna were
asked to give a full outline of the event by members of the church of
Philomelium. One of the actual witnesses, a certain Marcion, accordingly
compiled what is now acknowledged as the earliest authentic record of a
Christian martyrdom. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is written in a true story-
teller’s style and graphically describes the bishop’s arrest and execution,
making the reader feel part of the unfolding drama. This work became the
model for the many pious martyrologies of the subsequent second and third
centuries.
The following extract from the Martyrdom tells us how well the memory
and love for St. Polycarp lived on in the Church in Asia Minor:
“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” (17, 3).
5
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 5, 20.
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