Sophia Scriptura

Polycarp of Smyrna

Πολύκαρπος · Polycarpus

Polycarp was bishop of the church at Smyrna in western Asia Minor during the first half of the second century. Ignatius of Antioch wrote him a letter on the way to his martyrdom in Rome. Polycarp's own letter to the Philippians is the only writing of his that survives. He was burned to death at Smyrna, probably around 155–156.

Dates
ca. 69 – ca. 156 (approximate)
See or city
Smyrna
Region
Asia (western Asia Minor)
Also known as
Polycarp; Saint Polycarp
Notes
Irenaeus, who heard him as a youth, says he was taught by apostles and appointed bishop of Smyrna by them (Irenaeus, Haer. 3.3.4). His death at Smyrna is narrated in the Martyrdom of Polycarp, which gives his age as eighty-six years in Christ's service.

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