02Knights Templar - Julian Emperor

EARLY CHRISTIAN SAINTS AND MARTYRS
St Polycarp
As already noted in the introduction, the earliest, reliable
written record of the martyrdom and subsequent cult of a
saint other than those of biblical figures is that of St Polycarp.
Born in 69 AD, he was a disciple of John the Apostle and went
on to become the bishop of Smyrna. He became a significant
figure within the Orthodox Church through his criticisms of
such Gnostic thinkers asValentinus and Marcion. However, he
is best remembered as a martyr who was prepared to give up
his life in defence of his faith in Christianity. In 155 AD, anti-
Christian feeling in Smyrna led to a mob seizing St Polycarp
who made no attempt to escape. He was apparently interrogated
about his beliefs and it was demanded that he deny
Christ and make sacrifice to pagan gods. In answer to this, he
is said to have replied, ‘For 86 years I have been his servant
and he has never done me wrong. How then can I blaspheme
my king and saviour now?’ (A Calendar of Saints, James Bentley,
p.40).
He was then taken to the local amphitheatre and paraded
in front of the crowd as a Christian who refused to abandon
his beliefs. Many called for him to be thrown to the lions but
it was decided that he would be burnt at the stake. In the
event, he was first stabbed to death with a sword and then his
body was burnt. Later, other Christians returned to the scene
of his execution and gathered together his bones and then reverently
gave them a Christian burial. His feast day is 23
February.
St Ignatius of Antioch
The life and writings of St Ignatius of Antioch, like the account
of the life of St Polycarp, are regarded as providing a
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