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St. Polycarp, no doubt, is one of the most prominent figures on the Asia Minor stage. He was the great bishop of Smyrna. He was martyred at an advanced age, at Smyrna ( modern Izmir ) c. February 23, 155. This is a saint whose life and martyrdom has come to us with great details, because, his church in Smyrna wrote a long letter to the Church of Philomelium in Pisidia region of Asia Minor, and fortunately this account of his life has survived and probably is the most authentic one from early period of Christianity. He was arrested by Roman soldiers at a farm house outside the city, after betrayal of a servant. Right after this he was taken to the stadium of the city, where there was a big crowd for the sport games, and introduced to the proconsul who told Polycarp to respect the Roman Gods and curse Christ. Polycarp said " I have served Christ for 86 years, and he has done me no wrong ". The proconsul with the yells of the mob asking for his blood, ordered Polycarp be burned alive in the middle of the stadium. Polycarp prayed and the flames embraced his body, the chief executioner stabbed him to quicken his death. |
