View source for Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

{{Merge|Saint Polycarp|date=October 2025}}{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Polycarp of Smyrna
|SaintStage=Saint
|FeastDay=February 23
|SaintBirthPlace=Smyrna, Asia Minor, Roman Empire
|SaintBirthCoordinates=38.4192, 27.1287
|DeathPlace=Smyrna, Asia Minor, Roman Empire
|SaintDeathCoordinates=38.4192, 27.1287
|SaintCauseOfDeath=martyrdom by burning and stabbing
|NotableAddress1=Church of St. Polycarp, 1484 Sokak No:5, Alsancak, 35220 Konak/Izmir, Turkey
|NotableLabel1=Site of modern veneration and relics
|NotableCoordinates1=38.4306, 27.1306
|NotableAddress2=Stadium of Smyrna Ruins, Liman Caddesi, 35210 Izmir, Turkey
|NotableLabel2=Traditional site of martyrdom
|NotableCoordinates2=38.4200, 27.1400
|NotableAddress3=Sant'Ambrogio della Massima, Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 1, 00153 Rome RM, Italy
|NotableLabel3=Location of major relics
|NotableCoordinates3=41.8942, 12.4792
|AssociatedCountries=Turkey; Italy; Philippines
|AssociatedDioceses=[[Archdiocese of Izmir]]
|Canonized=Yes
|Canonizer=Early Church
|SaintMiracle1=Heavenly voice during trial; fire forming protective vault without harm
|SaintMiracle2=Blood from stabbing extinguishing the flames
|Profession=bishop
|ReligiousAffiliation=Early Christian Church
|Patronage=against dysentery; against earaches
|Attributes=palm of martyrdom; pyre or flames; sometimes a dove
|PrimaryShrine=Church of St. Polycarp, Izmir, Turkey
|AdditionalVeneration=Eastern Orthodox Church; Oriental Orthodox Churches; Anglican Communion
|ReviewLevel=0
}}
'''Saint Polycarp of Smyrna''' (c. 69 – 23 February 155), also known as '''Saint Polycarp the Martyr''', was a 2nd-century Christian bishop of Smyrna (modern [[Izmir]], [[Turkey]]), an Apostolic Father, and disciple of the Apostle [[John the Evangelist]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12219b.htm |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Polycarp |publisher=New Advent |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> According to primary sources like his ''Epistle to the Philippians'' and the ''Martyrdom of Polycarp'', he was appointed bishop by the apostles, combated heresies such as those of Marcion and Valentinus, and visited Rome to discuss Easter observance with Pope Anicetus, fostering unity despite differences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=99 |title=St. Polycarp - Saints & Angels |publisher=Catholic Online |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> Historical evidence from Irenaeus and Eusebius confirms his role as a bridge between apostolic and post-apostolic eras.

The ''Martyrdom of Polycarp'', an early eyewitness account, details his arrest at 86 during the persecution under Antoninus Pius, his refusal to recant ("Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any wrong"), and execution by fire in the stadium, followed by stabbing when flames failed to consume him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarp |title=Polycarp |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> Hagiographic traditions include a heavenly voice ("Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man") and the fire forming a protective vault smelling of incense, though some elements like a dove emerging may be later interpolations and cannot be confirmed historically. As one of the earliest detailed martyrdom narratives, it exemplifies early Christian witness.

Venerated since the 2nd century through equivalent canonization in the early Church, Polycarp's feast is February 23 in the Roman Calendar, honoring his orthodoxy and endurance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-polycarp/ |title=Saint Polycarp |publisher=Franciscan Media |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> His legacy influences Catholic tradition on martyrdom and episcopal authority, with relics preserved in Rome and veneration sites in Turkey and beyond.