Bishop and Martyr · Remembered on February 23
St. Polycarp
St. Polycarp is remembered on February 23 in Bless’s calendar of saints. Below: a short life and 2 sourced quotations in their own words.
| Remembered on | February 23 |
|---|---|
| Title | Bishop and Martyr |
| Died | c. 155 |
| In their own words | 2 sourced quotations |
| Next on Bless’s Today screen | None left in the published calendar (through December 31, 2028) |
Life
Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of John the apostle — one of the last living links to those who had seen the Lord. Ignatius wrote to him; Irenaeus remembered his stories all his life.
Arrested at eighty-six, told to curse Christ and go free, he answered that he had served Christ for eighty-six years and had never been wronged by him, and could not blaspheme the King who saved him. The flames, eyewitnesses said, arched around him like a sail.
In their own words
Each quotation names the work it comes from. Bless quotes these in the comments beside the verses listed under In Scripture.
Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?
The love of money is the beginning of all troubles. Knowing therefore that we brought nothing into the world and can carry nothing out, let us arm ourselves with the armor of righteousness.
In Scripture
In Bless, St. Polycarp’s words appear in the comments beside these verses. This page’s labels say how each is linked: “on this verse” means the saint wrote about that very verse; “on this theme” means the quotation shares its theme. Scripture is quoted from the Catholic Public Domain Version.
On this theme
Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice,
Ephesians 6:14 · CPDV Beside their words: “The love of money is the beginning of all troubles. Knowing therefore that we brought…”
On this theme
For we brought nothing into this world, and there is no doubt that we can take nothing away. But, having nourishment and some kind of covering, we should be content with these. For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition. For desire is the root of all evils. Some persons, hungering in this way, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:7–10 · CPDV Beside their words: “The love of money is the beginning of all troubles. Knowing therefore that we brought…”
On this theme
I have fought the good fight. I have completed the course. I have preserved the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 · CPDV Beside their words: “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my…”
On this theme
You should fear nothing amid those things which you will suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tested. And you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give to you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 · CPDV Beside their words: “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my…”
In the calendar
The upcoming dates, through December 31, 2028, when Bless’s Today screen shows St. Polycarp. Where the US calendar keeps another celebration that day, it is named instead and no rank is given.
Readings
No dates are left in Bless’s published calendar, which runs through December 31, 2028. St. Polycarp keeps February 23 in Bless’s calendar of saints: see the saints of February.
All the saints of February Born on February 23? A saint for every day
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