Ignatius passed through smyrna on his way to martyrdom, polycarp was perhaps no more than thirtyfive. On page 52 there is a chapter on the martyrdom of polycarp, pastor of the church of smyrna. This work offers an eyewitness account of the bishops death at the hands of the romans, and it is something of a. Written about ad 156, within a year of the event it describes, it is an authentic eyewitness report of the heroic death of an elderly man named polycarp. Polycarp offline resources for martyrdom of polycarp. His commentary in the accompanying notes on each document draws out the connections between ignatius, polycarp, and the new testament. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. Among the writings preserved for our times are the letter to the philippians by polycarp himself and the martyrdom of polycarp written by those who witnessed his death at the stake. Much of what we know about polycarps death comes from the secondcentury work titled the martyrdom of polycarp. My presumption is that the reader has at least covered an introductory.
Ad 69155 was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. Polycarp was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. H waddington placed the martyrdom on 23 february 155. It was sent to the christian church in philomelium, asia minor, from the church in smyrna modern izmir, tur. The orthodox church celebrates his memory on 23 february. Polycarp was bishop of smyrna, a town to which ignatius also wrote a more general epistle. The martyrdom of polycarp greek text with vocabulary and. Polycarp also taught an important early church father named irenaeus, who led the fight against the gnostic heresy. Irenaeus letter to the smyrneans is one of the sources recounting polycarps martyrdom. Martyrdom of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. This commentary on polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. Polycarps was among the first recorded christian martyrdoms. Due to being unable to have the original actor of polycarp polykarpos rerecord his material, there are some inaccurate pronuncations still included in the letter to the philippians.
A letter of the early church recounting the death of a bishop. It was this last of the twelve apostles who ordained polycarp bishop of smyrna, a city north of ephesus. The author of martyrdom of polycarp is unknown, but it has been attributed. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, polycarp, on 1. Chapter 3 investigates the narrative strategy of the document, with particular attention being given to the differences between it and the martyrdom of polycarp. Yet the understanding of how the early church viewed polycarp is. The crowd began to call for the christians leader polycarp.
Eusebius guessed that it occurred in 167 during the reign of marcus aurelius and this was generally accepted until 1867, when w. He had been a disciple of john, and opinions differ as to whether this john was the son of zebedee, or john the presbyter. Hartogs introduction to the martyrdom of polycarp runs over 70 pages. The martyrdom of polycarp online resources for martyrdom of polycarp. He was considered as a venerable figure and a primary link between the subapostolic church and the church of a. Saint polycarp of smyrna martyred in his 87th year, ca. He was considered as a venerable figure and a primary link between the subapostolic church and the church of a much later period.
The epistle of ignatius to polycarp was written within a decade of st. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians this is a modern translation of the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, the same church that paul wrote to almost a century earlier. Paul hartog this commentary on polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial. The harris fragments and their challenge to the literary traditions will be influential in new testament and early christian studies, particularly in the areas of johannine trajectories, martyrdom, noncanonical acts, coptic literature, and the development of christianity in asia minor.
Jul 28, 2016 the martyrdom of polycarp online resources for martyrdom of polycarp. Jul 25, 20 this commentary on polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. Grant, the apostolic fathers, a new translation and commentary. Eusebius, on the other hand, who knew the martyrdom, placed the date in the reign of marcus aurelius when there were persecutions in asia c. It forms the earliest account of christian martyrdom outside of the new testament. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our saviour, be multiplied. Martyrdom of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible. Revised texts, with introductions, dissertations, and translations. The story you are about to read is the earliest known account of a christian martyrdom. Martyrdom of polycarp patristic literature britannica. This book contains some of the history and letters of the postapostolic preachers and accounts to their suffering and martyrdom. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi.
Persecution against the christians broke out there and believers were being fed to the wild beasts in the arena. The preliminary material investigates polycarpian traditions and reconstructs an outline of his life. Introduction, text, and commentary by paul hartog 20, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Polycarp and the date of revelation a man named john. Polycarp commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Polycarp was one of the best known personages among christians of the early centuries. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. Polycarp was a subject of the historian eusebius ca 260265ca 339340 c. His steadfast obedience to christ was a powerful testimony, an inspiration not only to the church he pastored so faithfully in smyrna, but to christians throughout the centuries. In the letter to his fellow bishop, ignatius second or third bishop of antioch in syria emphasized the importance of a unified and loving christian community, reminding polycarp to especially.
A letter sent by the church at smyrna to the church at philomelium recounting the martyrdom of polycarp, bishop of smyrna for over fifty years until his death. The martyrdom of polycarp letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia from kirsopp lake, the apostolic fathers, vol. Of polycarp s life little is known, but that little is highly interesting. Letter of polykarpos to the philippians biblical audio. Briefly, let me share with you the story of his life and his death.
The account is in the form of a letter from eyewitnesses to other churches in the area. The six introductory essays in this book explain the context and content of these eastern fathers in language accessible to moderns. Paul hartog this commentary on polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the. The new international commentary on the new testament. This text is the story, from around 160 ad, of the martyrdom of polycarp, the bishop of the church in smyrna, a city in asia minor modern izmir in turkey devoted. Polycarp the letter of the smyrnaeans or the martyrdom of polycarp.
Polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of. It is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times see unity, in the first half of the second century. Ad 69 155 was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. The six introductory essays in this book explain the context and content of these eastern fathers in.
According to the martyrdom of polycarp he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him. Polycarp was the bishop of smyrna, today the city of izmir, on the west coast of turkey. Martyrdom of polycarp, letter that describes the death by burning of polycarp, bishop of smyrna in asia minor. Nov 05, 2009 his commentary in the accompanying notes on each document draws out the connections between ignatius, polycarp, and the new testament.
This commentary on polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. The introductory studies for both philippians and the. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, greek, latin. According to the martyrdom of polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body.
The church of god which sojourneth at smyrna to the church of god which sojourneth in philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal church sojourning in every place. Polycarp was a noted and respected bishop of smyrna, one of only two churches not admonished by jesus in the seven letters found in revelation 2 and 3. Polycarp was the bishop of smyrna in the first half of the second century, and was martyred, in all probability, on february 23rd, 155 a. Due to being unable to have the original actor of polycarppolykarpos rerecord his material, there are some inaccurate pronuncations still included in the letter to the philippians. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. The martyrdom of polycarp was, says the book of christian martyrs, caused by. Polycarp of smyrna resources american bible society. With this date, both the naming of quadratus as proconsul and the asiarch philip of tralles are in. Polycarp is regarded as a saint and church father in the eastern orthodox, oriental orthodox. The letter describes polycarp solemnly looking at the whole crowd gathered to see his martyrdom. His steadfast obedience to christ was a powerful testimony, an inspiration not only to the church he pastored in smyrna modern turkey, but to christians throughout the centuries.
The harris fragments and their challenge to the literary traditions will be influential in new testament and early christian studies, particularly in the areas of johannine trajectories, martyrdom, noncanonical acts, coptic literature, and. Of ignatius of antiochs seven authentic letters, the most personal is his epistle to polycarp. This text is the story, from around 160 ad, of the martyrdom of polycarp, the bishop of the church in smyrna, a city in asia minor modern izmir in turkey devoted to roman worship. Eusebius is the earliest source separating out john the presbyter from john the divine.
Martyrdom of polycarp is a manuscript written in the form of a letter that relates the religious martyrdom of polycarp, bishop of smyrna the site of the modern city of izmir, turkey and disciple of john the apostle in the 2nd century ad. Polycarp was a personal disciple of the apostle john. Sep 01, 2015 for each of polycarps writings, hartog provides substantial introductions, greek text with english translation, and commentary. In addition to attempting to edify its audience, the martpol advances an argument for a particular understanding of martyrdom, with polycarps death. Irenaeus states that on certain things the two bishops speedily came to an understanding, while as to the observance of easter, each adhered. Epistle of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible. As an old man, he was the bishop of the church at smyrna in asia minor presentday turkey. Martyrdom of polycarp is a manuscript written in the form of a letter that relates the religious.
Kirsopp lakes introduction robertsdonaldson introduction handbook of patrology. Polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. For each of polycarps writings, hartog provides substantial introductions, greek text with english translation, and commentary. For the curious, these are the correct pronunciations. Mark hitchcock, the stake in the heartthe ad 95 date of revelation, in the end times controversy eugene, or. It is the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the new testament. Epistle of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. He motions toward them with his hand as he groans, away with the atheists. The life and martyrdom of polycarp logos research pages. Polycarp is recognized as a saint in both the roman catholic and eastern orthodox churches. Irenaeus was his disciple, and tells us that polycarp was instructed by the apostles, and was brought into contact with many who had seen christ adv. The introductory studies for both philippians and the martyrdom discuss text.
The date of his death has been variously calculated. Books by polycarp author of the epistle of polycarp to the. Attributes, wearing the pallium, holding a book representing his epistle to the philippians. Notable are the use of conventional motifs characteristic of literary portrayals of teachers, the provision of a broader hagiographical framework for the narrative, and the emphasis on. Philomelium was a small center in pisidia, near the. Of polycarps life little is known, but that little is highly interesting. The martyrdom of polycarp ii i have aimed in the commentary material to make notes that will elucidate the grammar of the text and render it comprehensible to the average reader, especially noting difficulties and a few points of interest. Polycarp and the acts of his martyrdom catholic encyclopedia. Polycarps date of death established, one can approximate the latest possible year of his birth. Polycarp to revile christ, the saint replied, eightysix years have i served. Introduction, text, and commentary oxford apostolic fathers 9780199228393.
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