The account of the martyrdom of Polycarp of Smyrna , reckoned among the apostolic fathers , was written very shortly after his death, apparently by eyewitnesses. and is the oldest authentic account of an early Christian martyr’s death.

Martyrdom of Polycarp, letter that describes the death by burning of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the works of the Apostolic Fathers, and as such is one of the very few genuine such writings from the actual age of the persecutions.The work details Polycarp's death at the age of 86 years old, at the hands of the Romans, in the second century AD. We write to you, brethren, the story of the martyrs and of the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution by his martyrdom as though adding the seal. Information on the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Polycarp was a subject of the historian Eusebius (ca 260/265–ca 339/340 C.E. Martyrdom of Polycarp by the Smyrnaeans This is J.B. Lightfoots's Translation from the Greek, with minor translation editing by B. Thiel, Ph.D. (B. Thiel translations based on the text in The Martrydom of Polycarp. 2 (London: Heinemann, 1913). Irenaeus mentions Polycarp in Adv. In Adv.

2 (London: Heinemann, 1913). Polycarp was also responsible for converting many from Gnosticism. Eusebius is the earliest source separating out John the Presbyter from John the Divine V.33.4, Irenaeus describes Papias as "the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp.".

Now, the blessed Polycarp suffered martyrdom on the second day of the month Xanthicus just begun, the seventh day before the Kalends of May, on the great Sabbath, at the eighth hour.

In: Holmes The Martyrdom of Polycarp (Letter from the Church of Smyrna to the Church at Philomelion in Phrygia) From Kirsopp Lake, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. Full volume with Greek It was sent out from the church at Smyrna to the church at Philomelium in particular, but by its preface it was clearly meant as a circular letter for … For one might almost say that all that had gone before happened in In the public domain. The Martyrdom of Polycarp Who would have thought the old man had so much courage? It is among the first recorded Acts of the Martyrs. The Martyrdom of Polycarp (Letter from the Church of Smyrna to the Church at Philomelion in Phrygia) From Kirsopp Lake, The Apostolic Fathers, vol.

Haer. Appendices of the martyrdom. INTRODUCTION For background, The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp, and the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, (both available on The Seraphim Files) should be read in connection with this epistle from the Smyrneans … ), who wrote about his martyrdom and connections with John.