In our series of “Final Moments of Ministry,” we celebrate former preachers and pastors who remained faithful to the end. This week’s article focuses on the martyrdom of Policarpo, a father of the early church who was pastor of a church in Izmir ( present-day Turkey). This memory of Policarpo’s death reveals his dependence on God until his last breath, in 155 AD.
Three days before his arrest, Policarpo fell into a deep trance, after regaining consciousness, said he had received a vision, had seen his pillow burn around his head, but Policarpo had no doubts about the vision. Turning to his companions, he said, “They will burn me alive. “
- Policarpo prayed with such fervor that an hour became two.
- And several soldiers lamented his involvement in Policarpo prison.
Soon after, the Roman authorities captured two slaves. One of them gave in under torture and revealed the location of the farm where Policarpo was located. When the soldiers arrived on horseback to arrest him, Policarpo refused to flee. Instead, he offered his pursuers hospitality and food, asking for only an hour of prayer. When they agreed, Policarpo prayed with such fervor that an hour became two, and several soldiers lamented his involvement in Policarpo prison.
Then they mounted Policarpo on a donkey and took him to town. Upon arrival, his pursuers took him in the car of a man named Herod, the captain of the local troops. Herod tried to convince Policarpo to flee. Is there to say, “Caesar is the Lord?”And to offer you incense? When Policarpo rejected the suggestion to renounce Christ, the official threatened him and forced him out of the car so brutally that he hurt his leg.
Without even turning around, Policarpo walked fast as he was escorted to the stadium, where a deafening noise came from the crowd of spectators. As they entered, their Christian brethren heard a voice from above that said, “Be strong, Policarpo, and be like you. “a man. ” He was led before the proconsul, who urged him to renounce his faith and bow before the emperor: “Swear for Caesar’s fortune!Repent and say, “Down with the atheists!”
Policarpo turned sadly to the crowd asking for his death and gestured, “Down with the atheists,” he said gravely.
Then the proconsul insisted again that he denied Christ. Policarpo said: “For eighty-six years I have been your servant, and he has never let me down. How am I going to blaspheme against my king who saved me?”
“We don’t usually regret what’s good at changing what’s bad. “
The proconsul again urged Policarpo to swear by Caesar. This time, Policarpo replied: “As you pretend not to know who and what I am, listen to me declare courageously: I am a Christian. And if you want to know more about Christianity, will I be happy to make an appointment ?.
Furious, the proconsul said, “Don’t you know I have wild animals waiting for you?Will I give them to you, unless you regret it?”
Policarpo replied, “Make them bring, because we are not used to lamenting the good to change in evil. “
Then the proconsul threatened to burn him alive. Policarpo replied: “You threaten me with a fire that burns for a moment and then it goes out. You do not know the coming fire of judgment and eternal punishment reserved for the wicked. Why are you late?” Do what you want?
The fire formed a circle around him, but his body did not burn
The proconsul sent his herald into the arena to announce that Policarpo had confessed to being a Christian, at that time the crowd gathered with violent fury demanded that Policarpo be burned alive and quickly lit a fire, collecting firewood from workshops and public baths. Policarpo took off his clothes and tried to take off his shoes, although his old age made the task difficult. His guards were about to stop him at the stake, but he said calmly, “Leave me as I am, whoever gives me the strength to withstand fire will also give me the strength to stand firm on the pyre without being held by nails?They tied their hands back. Policarpo offered a psalm of praise and gratitude to God, and his persecutors lit the fire.
According to observers, as the flames increased, they did not consume Policarp as expected, the fire formed a circle around him, but his body did not burn, as the fire did not have the desired effect on Policarp’s body, an executioner was ordered to stab him to death with a sword. His blood extinguished the flames.
Originally published in Bearing Witness: Stories of Martyrdom and Costly Discipleship (Eds. Charles E. Moore and Timothy Keiderling).
Even in our easy ecclesial culture, the stories of persecution, especially physical persecution, warn us that we must remain very comfortable. The scriptures promise that even persecution will not separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). As Policarpo’s death reminds us, the Spirit allows us to stand firm to the end. The shepherd, overwhelmed by the temptation to exhaust himself, recalls Policarpo’s words: “Leave me as I am, that he who gives me the strength to endure fire will also give me the strength to stand firm at the stake. “