Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Izmir

[walaa farouk]

Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Izmir



Bishop of Smyrna. He belongs to the choirs of the so-called
Apostolic Fathers since he was an audible witness of the Apostolic sermon and a student of Saint John the Evangelist.
He was born around 60 AD in Ephesus. His pious parents, Pagratius and Theodora, became martyrs shortly after the birth of their child.
His original name was “Pagratius”, which he received in memory of his father, but he changed it to “Polycarp,” which means “much fruit” in Greek, is a manifestation of the rich virtues cultivated in his soul, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. John baptized him and then introduced him to Bishop Voukolos, who ordained him bishop of Smyrna.
An ancient text of the ecclesiastical literature, called “Martyr of Polycarp” and written by one of his students, describes what the Saint suffered for the sake of his faith in Christ.
Emperor Antoninus Pius ordered proconsul Statius Cordatus to bring Bishop Polycarp before him so that he renounced his faith in Jesus Christ. Saint Polycarp’s courageously replied, “I have served God for 86 years and He never wronged me.” How can I deny the One who saved me?” Saint Polycarp was firstly thrown into the fire and finally beheaded on February 23, 167 AD.