23 February
Appointed as the Bishop of Asia in the Church of Smyrna by the Apostles. Polikarp, an Izmir native born into a prosperous family, saw Ignatius of Antakya leave Izmir. He was present when the bishop of Antioch, Ignatius, traveled through Smyrna and died as a martyr on his way to Rome in the year 107. About 100 Christians in the area elected Polycarp as their leader.
In 154, Polycarp travels to Rome to meet with Pope Anicetus to debate the timing of Easter. A persecution starts as soon as he is back in Smyrna. The 86-year-old bishop is led to the arena where the Roman governor Quadrato will sentence him. In front of the governor and the mob of people who wish to save him, Polycarp declines to defend himself. He announces himself to be a Christian and ascends the stake above the flames while refusing to be bound. He gets killed with the sword rather than being burned by the fire. On February 23, 1555, at approximately 2:00 pm, he was executed as a martyr.
We are aware of this from Martyrium Polycarpi, which was written that same year by an eyewitness. It is the earliest piece of Christian literature devoted exclusively to a martyr’s tale of suffering. He was the first, in fact, to refer to someone who died for their religion as a “martyr” (witness).
Holy Mass is held at 07:00 every morning in our church. You can visit our church between 15:00-17:00 every day except Sunday.
On Sundays, a French service is held at 10:30.
