Polycarp, St

views updated Jun 11 2018

Polycarp, St (c.69–c.155). Christian bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor. His Letter to the Philippians is preserved, as well as one of Ignatius' letters addressed to him. According to the contemporary Martyrdom of Polycarp he was arrested during a pagan festival and, on his refusing to recant his faith, burnt to death. Feast day, 23 Feb.

Polycarp, St

views updated Jun 08 2018

Polycarp, St (c.69–c.155), Greek bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor. The leading Christian figure in Smyrna, he was arrested during a pagan festival, refused to recant his faith, and was burnt to death. His followers wrote an account of his martyrdom, one of the oldest such records to survive. His feast day is 23 February.

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Saint Polycarp

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