St. Polycarp of Smyrna

St. Polycarp was a disciple of St. John the Apostle and was appointed the bishop of Smyrna by that same Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. Polycarp was martyred after he refused to burn incense to the Roman emperor; first he was burned at the stake, but after surviving untouched by the flames, he was impaled with a spear. Upon his imminent death, Polycarp said, "I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ."


Lifetime: 69 to 155
Region: Smyrna (Modern Turkey)
Patronages: Earache sufferers; Dysentery
Iconograpy: Epistle to the Philippians; Surrounded by flames but unburnt; Pallium
Feast Day: February 23

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