St. Polycarp Bishop and Martyr free essay sample

Indeed, Irenaeus also noted that Anicetus conceded to Polycarp in the Church the celebration of the Eucharist, by way of showing him respect; Anicetus and Polycarp parted in peace leaving the question unsettled. .Outside of the account of St. Stephen’s Martyrdom as recorded in Acts chapter 7, the letter entitled â€Å"The Martyrdom of Polycarp† is considered one of the earliest, genuine accounts of Christian martyrdom, and is one of the very few genuine accounts from the actual age of the persecutions.In reading the account of his Martyrdom, I noticed some similarities between Polycarp’s execution and the events that led up to it and that of Jesus’s own crucifixion. 1) A member of his own household betrayed Polycarp, Judas betrayed Christ. â€Å" since those that betrayed him were of his own household. The Irenarch then (whose office is the same as that of the Cleronomus ), by name Herod, hastened to bring him into the stadium. We will write a custom essay sample on St. Polycarp Bishop and Martyr or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This all happened] that he might fulfill his special lot, being made a partaker of Christ, and that they who betrayed him might undergo the punishment of Judas himself. ( from The Martyrdom of Polycarp) 2) Both prayed prior to their arrest 3) Jesus was nailed to a crossSo at length the lawless men, seeing that his body could not be consumed by the fire, ordered an executioner to go up to him and stab him with a dagger. And when he had done this, there came forth [a dove and] a quantity of blood, so that it extinguished the fire; and all the multitude marvelled that there should be so great a difference between the unbelievers and the elect. † (from The Martyrdom of Polycarp). Polycarps life and death provides an inspirational example for all Christians. He gave his earthly life for Christ, and in the midst of his sacrifice, he gained eternal life. |