Polycarpe de Smyrne
vers 69-155 2nd century Feast day: February 23
Keeping and handing on the faith received, and standing firm to the end without raising one's voice.
Who was Polycarpe de Smyrne?
Bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor, he was by tradition a disciple of the apostle John, making him a living bridge between the Apostles and the infant Church. His Letter to the Philippians, sober and steeped in Scripture, watches over the faith of a young community. Arrested in great old age, he refused to deny Christ and was burned alive; the account of his death, written by his community, is the oldest surviving record of a martyrdom.
In their own words
Faith, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, is the mother of us all.
Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith.
Pray also for kings, and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross.