H I D D E N - S E C R E T S 
O F G O D
"POLYCARP"
This page was last revised on 16 Dec 2000 @ 09:30 PST
So You're A Christian - But
Page 2
THE PRELIMINARIES OF DEATH BY FIRE
- As Polycarp spoke the above (and many other things too), he became filled with
courage and joy, and his face was so radiant with grace, that with all the
threats and promises, not only did Polycarp not collapse in terror at his
immediate future, but on the contrary, the proconsul was simply amazed.
It was because of this that the proconsul sent his herald into the middle of
the stadium to announce three times: "Polycarp has confessed that he is a
Christian."
- When the announcement had be made the third time, the whole crowd of
Gentiles and Jews who lived in Smyrna cried out with uncontrolled anger and
with a loud shout; "This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the
Christians, the destroyer of our gods, the one who teaches many not to
sacrifice nor to worship."
- After shouting the above, the crowd began to chant for Asiarch, Philip, to
set a lion upon Polycarp. But Philip said he didn't have the authority since
he had ended the wild-beast hunts.
Then it occurred to all of them to begin chanting together that Philip burn
Polycarp alive. It was necessary this happen, so as to fulfill the vision
Polycarp had previously seen [ cf. John 18:32 ] where his pillow was
burning, and he had told those who were with him at the time.
THE PRELIMINARIES OF POLYCARP'S DEATH CONTINUE
- Suddenly, with such a great speed - much faster than relating it here - in a
flash, the crowd gathered wood and fuel from the shops and baths; the Jews
were especially energetic, as they usually are, in lending a hand to help
do-away with Christians.
- When the pyre was ready, Polycarp quickly took off all his garments and
loosened his belt; he also tried to take off his shoes which was unusual.
Polycarp usually kept his shoes on, as each of the faithful always hurried
to be first to touch this holy man's skin.
But in this case, Polycarp was adorned with every (heavenly power) because
of his godly way of life even before his martyrdom.
- Without any delay, all the material was prepared for the pyre was set about
him. And as they were also about to nail him, he said: "Let me be as I
am; for he who makes it possible for me to endure the fire will also make it
possible for me to remain on the pyre unmoved without the security of
nails."
THE MARTYDOM OF POLYCARP AND HIS PRAYER
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- THEY DID NOT NAIL HIM -
But decided to bind him instead. When Polycarp placed his hands behind
him and was tied, he appeared as a perfect ram from a great flock; ready for
sacrifice; prepared as a burnt offering acceptable to the Lord God.
Polycarp looked up to heaven and prayed:
"Lord God Almighty,
Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ
through whom we have received knowledge of you,
God of angels and powers
and every created thing
and all the race of the just
2. I bless you
because you have considered me worthy of this day and hour
to receive a portion, among the number of the martyrs,
in the cup of your Christ
unto the resurrection of eternal life
both of soul and body
in the incorruption of the Holy Spirit,
among whom may I be received today as a rich and
acceptable sacrifice,
just as you have prepared beforehand,
and revealed beforehand,
and fulfilled,
Oh, undeceiving and true God
3. For this reason and for all these things
I praise you,
I bless you,
I glorify you,
through the eternal and heavenly high priest Jesus Christ
your beloved Son
through whom to you with him and the Holy Spirit
be glory now and forever.
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POLYCARP'S BURNING TURNS INTO A MIRACLE
- When Polycarp finished with the "Amen;" finishing his prayer, those
attending the burning of him, lit the fire. And then a great flame shot
upward.
And those of us to whom it was given to see, saw a miracle; and we were
preserved to tell the rest what happened.
- It was amazing. The whole fire took the form of an arch like the sail of a
ship filled by the wind and encircled the body of martyr Polycarp like a
wall.
And he was in the center of it not like burning flesh but like baking bread
or like gold and silver being refined in a furnace; for we also perceived a
fragrant odor like the scent of incense or some other precious spice.
POLYCARP'S DEATH IS BY SWORD AS WAS CHRIST'S
- When the lawless pagan crowd saw that Polycarp's body was not burning as
normal, they demanded the executioner to go up and plunge a dagger into him.
And when he had done as requested, a dove and *1 blood and water gushed out
in such a large quantity that the whole fire was put out.
*1 Some witnesses who saw either the event or the original document, omit
"a dove and"
Everyone in the arena was amazed that there was such a difference between
the unbelievers and the elect.
- Polycarp, the most wonderful Polycarp, was surely one of the elect -- a man
who showed himself to be an apoltolic and prophetic teacher and bishop of
the orthodox catholic church of God in Smyrna.
Be assured, every word that he uttered was (or will be) fulfilled.
THE TUG-OF-WAR OVER POLYCARP'S BODY
- When the enemy of the race of the just -- those jealous, envious, and evil
ones -- realized that Polycarp's martyrdom had been illustrious and his life had
been irreproachable from the beginning; that he was crowned with
incorruption; had indeed, carried off the prize of our day.
Thus, the evil proconsul, began at once to prevent Polycarp's poor
body to come into our hands, even though there were many who wanted to do so, that
the elect could have fellowship with his now holy flesh.
- He decided to incite Nicetes, the father of Herod and brother to Alce, to
gef the magistrate not to give up his body: "Lest, they abandon the
Crucified (Christ) and begin to worship this man."
All this was not without the instigation and urging of the Jews who were
watching us when we were about to take our precious Polycarp from the
remains of the pyre; they didn't realize that we shall never find it
possible to either abandon Christ - who suffered for the salvation of those
saved in all the world, that they be held blameless for all their sins [ cf.
1 Pet. 3:18 ], or that we would worship any other.
- As for Jesus Christ, we worship as the Son of God; but with regard to
the martyrs, we love them as disciples and imitators of the Lord because
they deserve our admiration and adoration for their display of incomparable
loyalty to their own King and Teacher. It is our hope to become honored
partners and fellow disciples.
POLYCARP'S BODY BURNED, BUT RELICS RETRIEVED
- When the Roman centurion, became aware of the contentiousness of the
Jews, he stopped the followers of Polycarp from taking the body and did what
was his normal practice: That is, he placed the body in the center of the
arena and burned him.
- Later, after the remains of Polycarp were cool, we gathered his
remaining bones, as to us Christians, they were more precious than
finely-cut diamonds and more valuable than refined gold. We then deposited
them in a most suitable place.
- And it is there (that when it is possible) we will gather together with
joy and gladness and celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom; both in memory
of those who have given their life for Christ in the recent past, and for
those who will have to lay down their life in the future persecution of our
faith and belief in Christ.
CONCLUSION
- So this is the story of the blessed Polycarp. Even though he and eleven
others from Philadelphia, were martyred in Smyrna, he alone is especially
remembered by all so that he is now spoken of everyplace one travels; even
by the Gentiles.
Polycarp did not limit himself to being a well-known religious professor,
but proved to be an outstanding martyr, whom all desire to imitate since it
was in acord with the gospel of Christ.
- It is due to his tolerance and his ever-bearing patience that he
overcame the unjust magistrate and thus wears the crown of incorruption. He
is surely rejoicing with the apostles and the rest of the just in glorifying
God the Father Almighty and is now blessing our Lord Jesus Christ -- the
savior of our souls -- the guidance of our mortal bodies -- and the Shepherd
of the orthodox catholic church in every part of the world.
CONCLUSION cont.
- So this is the detailed report of Polycarp's martyrdom that you
requested be made for you. Although you requested a detailed report, this
is my best summary and is being made available to you through our brother
Marcion.
When you are done with your shared study of this letter, be sure to send
it to our bretheren on down the road; that they may also glorify the Lord
who makes election from among his servants.
- To the Father, who provides us everything by grace and favor into his
eternal kingdom, by way of His Son -- His only Son, Jesus Christ, be the
glory, honor, power and majesty forever [ cf. Jude 24,25 ].
Give our greetings to everyone. Those with us and Evarestus, the scribe and
his household greet you also.
APPENDIX I
- Our blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second day of the month of
Xanthicus, seven days before the kalends of March, a Great Sabbath, at the
eighth hour. He was arrested by the Smyrna Chief of Police, Herod; during
the time when Philip the Trallian was high priest, and Statius Quadratus was
proconsul.
But our Lord Jesus Christ was and is, King forever; to whom glory, honor,
and majesty with an eternal throne from generation to generation. Amen.
APPENDIX II
- We pray that your travels be safe, as you walk by the word of Jesus
Christ and stay faithful to the gospel. All of us together with Christ
be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit until all of us, the holy
bride of Christ, and as the blessed Polycarp suffered martyrdom, in
whose shadow we may be found in the kingdom to come.
APPENDIX III
- This was transcribed by Gaius from the papers of Irenaeus, who in turn
was a disciple of Polycarp. He lived in the same city as Irenaeus,
I Socrates, wrote it out in Corinth from Gaius' copies. Grace be with of of
you.
APPENDIX IV
- I, Ponius, in turn, wrote it out from the copy mentioned above, but with
a great deal of effort. I did not know of its existance until the blessed
Polycarp showed it to me in a personal revelation; and then made a search
for the letter, as I will explain later.
I gathered it together, now almost worn out with age, in order to do my part
in pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ, that I be deemed worthy to be part of the
elect into his heavenly kingdom. To Christ be the glory with the Father and
the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
APPENDIX V: THE MOSCOW EPILOGUE
- Gaius traanscribed this from the writings of Irenaeus. He lived in the
same city as Irenaeus, who as stated before, was a diciple of the holy
Polycarp.
- This Irenaeus was in Rome, at the time of the martyrdom of bishop
Polycarp, and taught many people there. Many excellent and altogether sound
writings are in circulation in which he mentions Polycarp and recalls that
he was instructed by him.
He was masterfull in refuting every heresy and handed on the ecclesiastical
and catholic rule of faith as he had received it from the saint.
- He also reported this:
Once Marcion -- the founder of the so-called "Marcionites" -- met the holy
Polycarp and said, "Recognize us, Polycarp."
Polycarp replied, "I recognize -- I recognize the first-born of Satan!"
- And in the writings of Irenaeus, he records that on the day and at the
hour when Polycarp suffered martyrdom in Smyrna, Irenaeus -- who was in the
city of Rome -- heard a voice like that of a trumpet proclaiming,
"Polycarp has suffered martyrdom."
- Thus, Gaius, as was stated above, transcribed this from these writings
of Irenaeus. And Isocrates transcribed it in Corinth from the copies that
Gaius wrote.
I, Pionius, in turn wrote it out from the copies of Isocrates, after a
search made because of a revelation of the holy Polycarp. I assembled the
papers of the letter, now close to being worn to shreads from age, that the
Lord Jesus Christ might also include me with the elect into his heavenly
kingdom. To them be the glory with the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit forever.
Amen.
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