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The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Martyrdom

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Anonymous · c. 155 AD

47 min read

Ante-Nicene

The church of Smyrna's account of Polycarp's martyrdom, one of the earliest and most influential Christian martyr acts.

Table of Contents

1Subject of which we write 2The wonderful constancy of the martyrs 3The constancy of Germanicus. The death of Polycarp is demanded 4Quintus the apostate 5The departure and vision of Polycarp 6Polycarp is betrayed by a servant 7Polycarp is found by his pursuers 8Polycarp is brought into the city 9Polycarp refuses to revile Christ 10Polycarp confesses himself a Christian 11No threats have any effect on Polycarp 12Polycarp is sentenced to be burned 13The funeral pile is erected 14The prayer of Polycarp 15Polycarp is not injured by the fire 16Polycarp is pierced by a dagger 17The Christians are refused Polycarp’s body 18The body of Polycarp is burned 19Praise of the martyr Polycarp 20This epistle is to be transmitted to the brethren 21The date of the martyrdom 22Salutation