Feb 23, The Martyrdom of Polycarp

On February 23, the Church remembers one of the heroes of faith, a man named Polycarp. Polycarp is a Greek name that means "one who bears much fruit." Polycarp was born around 69 AD, and his family was converted to Christianity when he was a young boy. Polycarp was taught by the Apostle John and became a student of his. Polycarp became a pastor and bishop of Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey) and became a leading figure in the early Church.

When the Romans began persecuting Christians in Smyrna, the crowds called for the bishop, Polycarp, to be brought before them. The Roman government told him to abandon Christianity, or to be executed by being fed to wild beasts or burned at the stake.

Polycarp responded by saying. "For 86 years I have served Christ, and he has never injured me. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

Polycarp became a martyr (one who witnesses for Christ in death) when they burned him at the stake and stabbed him to death on February 23, 155 BC.

Thank God, that we have the blessings of a land where we can worship Christ in peace. But pray God, that he would give each of us the faith and trust of Polycarp, that we would serve Christ in the face of any trial!