Yesterday, February 23, we celebrated the feast day of St. Polycarp, a revered Bishop of Smyrna and one of the earliest Church fathers and martyrs, who lived from 69 to 155 AD. His significance as a witness to the faith is profound, particularly because he was taught by the original Apostles, especially St. John, and had conversed with those who had witnessed Jesus Christ. St. Polycarp received his episcopate directly from the Apostles, making his teachings a vital link to the early Church.
As an Orthodox Christian, I find great inspiration in Polycarp’s writings, especially his Epistle to the Philippians. His insights were pivotal in my own journey from Protestantism to first Roman Catholicism and then to the Orthodox Catholic Church. I encourage my Protestant brothers and sisters to consider the wisdom of this early witness, as it reflects the ancient faith that has been preserved within Orthodoxy since the time of the Apostles.
In his Epistle, Polycarp addresses essential theological points that may resonate with you. He speaks against sola fide, affirming that obedience is necessary for salvation and that the Scriptures alone do not encompass the fullness of God’s revelation. He cites the “Apocrypha” as Scripture, acknowledges the divine authority of Church officials, and emphasizes the importance of living a life in accordance with God’s commandments. He encourages perseverance in faith, urging believers to remain steadfast to attain salvation.
For instance, he writes, “I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ…because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days long gone by, endures even until now, and brings forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ…. knowing that ‘by grace you are saved, not of works,’ but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.” Here, Polycarp highlights that while grace is indeed foundational to our salvation, it is our response to that grace that bears fruit in our lives.
He further elaborates, “But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness.” This passage emphasizes that our obedience to God’s law is a condition for our resurrection and eternal life. It serves as a reminder that faith must be accompanied by action.
He urges the faithful to teach their families, saying, “let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord.” This call to educate ourselves and our loved ones in the faith is crucial for the spiritual health of the Church. Polycarp’s acknowledgment of the roles of Church leaders is also significant; he emphasizes that we should respect and follow the presbyters and deacons, “as unto God and Christ.”
In his exhortation, he reminds us, “If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world.” Our actions in this life matter greatly and have eternal consequences. He stresses the importance of living a life worthy of the calling we have received, warning against the distractions of worldly desires and the necessity of striving for holiness.
Polycarp’s call to unity and perseverance resonates deeply, as he encourages, “Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith.” In a world filled with divisions, his message of being “joined together in the truth” is a powerful reminder of the unity that the Orthodox Church embodies.
Polycarp quotes from the Book of Tobit as Scripture when he encourages Christians to be generous with their charitable giving. “When you can do good, defer it not, because alms delivers from death”(Tobit 4:10, Tobit 12:9).
“Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence,” he writes, reminding us that our relationship with God is one of both love and reverence. This balance is essential in our walk as Christians. He encourages us to be zealous for good, to avoid false brethren, and to remain steadfast in the truth handed down from the Apostles.
As we reflect on St. Polycarp’s teachings, let us remember his words: “Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ.” May we strive to live out our faith with sincerity and commitment, recognizing that our journey is one of continual growth and reliance on God’s grace.
In conclusion, I invite you to explore the richness of the Orthodox faith, which stands as a living testament to the teachings of the Apostles and the early Church. By embracing this ancient tradition, we can draw closer to the fullness of truth and experience the profound depth of spiritual life that the early Christians knew. St. Polycarp’s witness serves as an encouragement for all of us to deepen our commitment to Christ and to the community of believers. Let us seek to emulate the steadfastness of these early saints and unite ourselves more fully with the ancient faith that has been preserved in the Orthodox Catholic Church. Together, may we strive to be like the first Christians, growing in love, knowledge, and righteousness as we journey toward eternal life.
If you’d like to read St. Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians in its entirety, you can find it here:
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0136.htm
If you’d like to read the contemporaneous story of his martyrdom, click here:
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm