Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Biography
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Biography, Feast Day, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death |
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| Date of Birth | 69 AD |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | Turkey in Europe |
| Matrimony/Holy Orders | Saints who were Bishops |
| Profession | Missionary |
| Place of Work | Turkey |
| Date of Death | 155 AD |
| Place of Death | Smyrna, Turkey |
| Feast Day | February 23 |
| Beatification | Beatified by N/A |
| Canonization | Canonized by Pre-Congregation |
| Patron Saint of | against dysentery against earache |
Biography
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna was an associate and disciple of Saint John the Apostle. He was also a friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Papias being a spiritual teacher of Saint Irenaeus of Lyon. He became the bishop of Smyrna in Turkey. Polycarp was a respected Christian leader during the first half of the second century.
The Asia Minor churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership and chose him to represent Pope Anicetus on the question on the date of the Easter celebration. He has written very many letters but only one has survived, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi, Macedonia. At age 86, Polycarp was to be burned alive in a stadium in Smyrna. However, the flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger and his body burned.
The Acts of Polycarp’s killing are the earliest preserved reliable account of a Christian martyr‘s death.
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