The Martyrdom of Polycarp and the veneration of relics in the Early Church

 Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna which Ignatiius of Antioch had passed through on his journey to martyrdom in Rome.  Ignatius was very impressed by Polycarp and one of the seven letters he wrote on his journey was to Polycarp to encourage him as a bishop.    Unfortunately a persecution of the Christians there broke out and Polycarp was arrested.     He was asked to call Caesar Lord and offer incense to him and deny Christ.      Polycarp refused and since there was a crowd in the arena but the lions had been settled down for the night it was decided to burn him.    He was tied to a stake but before they set the wood alight he offered a prayer.    ".........  I bless Thee because thou has deemed me worthy of this day and hour, to take my part in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Christ..........may I be received  in thy presence as a rich and acceptable sacrifice just as thou has revealed and prepared beforehand ......for this and for everything I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, through the eternal and Heavenly High Priest Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, through whom be glory to Thee with him in the Holy Spirit both now and in the ages to come, Amen".   When the fire blew away from Polycarp and he was encircle with light, it was decided to stab him to death..   A solder duly did so.  

To prevent the Christians taking away the body it was then burned, but the Christians came and swept up the ashes and took the bones nevertheless.   It was a Christian witness called Polinus who in a letter gave an account of the death of Polycarp he went on to tell us much more.

"So we later took up his bones more precious than costly stones  and more valuable than gold, and laid them away in a suitable place.  There the Lord will permit us, as far as is possible, to gather together in joy and gladness to celebrate the day of his martyrdom as a birthday, in memory of those athletes who have gone before, and to train and make ready for those who are to come hereafter".

This happened in Smyrna a small town during a local persecution.   In Rome however there were three hundred years of persecution and the catacombs were covered with those who were gathered after death so that their birthdays could be celebrated.    Masses were often said on the tombs of the martyrs.

Again one of the wonderful practices that survived until lately in the Church was that every altar had a relic of  saint.    Perhaps it was a martyr or just someone who lived the life that Christ wanted the rest of us to follow.   But make no mistake these people were given honour in the early Church and down through the ages.  In the early Church, I believe it was Turtullian who asked he Romans why they continued to kill Christians because the way they accepted death was an inspiration for many in the crowds to become Christians.    "See these Christians how they love one another".   It has been truly said the Church flourished on the seeds of the martyrs.    We have saints and martyrs to celebrate every day of the year.    How wonderful it would be if we dared to point out to our young that these people are our heroes and heroines.    Wonderful people to imitate in our daily lives.

    

In the above we have the echoes of the Mass we celebrate today.   This accou   

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