At the time of his martyrdom in AD 156, Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna, a thriving seaport on the west coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey), and an important centre of Christianity. There had been a strong Christian presence in that part of the Roman Empire since Paul’s missionary visits, and later on the apostle John had settled in nearby Ephesus. During a time of persecution under the emperor Domitian (AD 81-96), John had been exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote his Revelation, addressing one of his seven letters to the church at Smyrna.
Polycarp himself had sat at the feet of the apostle John in his youth and met many people who had known Jesus personally. When he became leader of the Christians at Smyrna, he often related those eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ miracles and teaching to his pupils. He was known for his faithfulness to the Scriptures and to the apostolic tradition which he received from John. In fact, he was the last link to that ‘Apostolic Age.'
After the first wave of persecution under Domitian, the religious situation had quietened down, with subsequent more pragmatic emperors turning a blind eye to the troublesome minorities (Jews and Christians) under their jurisdiction and advising their governors not to seek out Christians, nor to accept anonymous charges. Nevertheless, being a Christian remained a capital offence, and whenever someone was charged and brought before a governor, the following procedure was adhered to: the accused was given three chances to deny his faith, and then only sent for immediate execution; if he or she cursed Christ and burnt incense to the emperor’s image or if they denied ever being involved with the Way, they were released.
The situation of the Church was thus precarious. On the one hand, it enjoyed success in evangelism, first in the towns and then in the surrounding countryside, and even people who did not convert generally respected the Christians. On the other hand, the large-scale defection of pagans was causing a decline in temple worship with its animal sacrifice and threatening the businesses which supported it. As a result, hostility among the middle classes was growing and could easily erupt into violence. Any real or imagined grievance could start a wave of persecution. This is what happened in Smyrna in AD156.
Persecution in Smyrna
Twelve Christians had been condemned to death. As they stood in the arena, waiting for the ravenous lions to be let loose on them, their leader, who had urged the others to face martyrdom, suddenly lost his nerve and agreed to burn incense to the emperor; but the others braved torture and were eventually thrown to the lions. One of them, prompted perhaps by his leader’s betrayal, went so far as to goad the animals into attacking him. His extraordinary heroism enraged the spectators, who began baying for the blood of the bishop himself. “Polycarp to the lions! Search out Polycarp!”
Hurriedly, the Christians informed their bishop and urged him to flee to the country. He complied because he believed that they still needed him as their pastor. However, whilst ruminating in his farmhouse retreat, he dreamed that his pillow had caught fire, and accepted this as a prophecy that he would soon have to die. “I must he burned alive,” he told the local Christians. There was still time to escape, they insisted, but he rejected their request with the words, “God’s will be done.”
Events happened swiftly after that. One of Polycarp’s servants was seized, tortured and betrayed his hideout. Roman officials set out immediately to arrest the bishop. When they arrived at the farmhouse, he welcomed them hospitably, and they seemed to be awed by his calmness and dignity. He agreed to go with them on condition that they allowed him one hour to pray. In that time he commended his friends to God and asked for courage to face the coming ordeal. Then the officials put him on a donkey and led him into Smyrna, all the while trying to persuade him to deny Christ. “What harm is there in saying ‘Caesar is lord’? You’re an old man. Save yourself.” Their pleas, however, were motivated not so much by pity for his frail condition as by the honour of breaking down such a prominent church leader.
In the arena
As Polycarp was entering the arena, a voice came from heaven, “Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.” Some of the believers who were nearby heard the voice, but they saw no-one. Could it be God’s voice?
Meanwhile, the wild beast show had finished and the crowd was getting impatient for more gruesome entertainment. Polycarp’s end would be the show of the season. The prisoner was brought before the proconsul and the usual procedure began. “Have respect for your old age, Polycarp. Swear by the godhead of Caesar, repent, and say ‘Away with the atheists’.” The old man turned to the crowd, waved his hand and repeated, “Away with the atheists.” But the proconsul wanted more. “Take the oath and I will let you go. Revile Christ.” Polycarp looked straight at him. “Eighty-six years have I served him and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my king who has saved me?” The proconsul was not to be thwarted so quickly. He switched to pleading, and then to threatening with wild beasts and fire; but Polycarp would not be moved. In the end, the proconsul called the herald and told him to announce to the crowd three times, “Polycarp has confessed to being a Christian.”
“No time for the lions! Finish him off now! Burn him alive!”, came the response, thus fulfilling the prophecy. Hurriedly, logs were piled up into a pyre. Polycarp co-operated by taking off his cloak and loosening the girdle of his tunic; but he asked not to be nailed to the stake. His wish was granted. As he took his place there, he declared, “He who gives me power to endure the fire will also give me the power to withstand the flames.”
The pyre was lit. Polycarp looked up to heaven, praising God. “I thank you, Father, that you have counted me worthy to drink the cup of Christ.” The flames leapt high, but – Polycarp’s body was not being burned! The spectators were aghast. Quickly, a gladiator was summoned to stab the bishop through the heart; and the show continued. Afterwards, the Roman authorities refused to release Polycarp’s bones for burial “in case they should abandon the crucified one and worship the martyr”, to which the believers replied, “We worship Christ the Son of God, but reverence the martyrs as disciples and imitators of the Lord.” With Polycarp’s death, persecution in Smyrna came to an end and a period of peace ensued.
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