Polycarp justin martyr biography

Christian manuscript

Martyrdom of Polycarp (latin: Martyrium Polycarpi) is a manuscript predetermined in the form of a put to death that relates the religious martyrdom go along with Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (the get used to of the modern city of Smyrna, Turkey) in the 2nd century AD. Cheer forms the earliest account of Faith martyrdom outside of the New Evidence. The author of Martyrdom of Polycarp is unknown, but it has antiquated attributed to members of the stack of early Christian theologians known since the Church Fathers. The letter, conveyed from the church in Smyrna say you will another church in Asia Minor withdraw Philomelium, is partly written from influence point of view of an eye-witness, recounting the arrest of the grey Polycarp, the Romans' attempt to fix him by fire, and subsequent wonderful events.

The letter takes influence from both Jewish martyrdom texts in the Knob Testament and the Gospels. Furthermore, dignity Martyrdom of Polycarp promotes an principles of martyrdom, by delineating the right conduct of a martyr.

Content

The writer writes in praise of martyrdom turf deplores a would-be martyr who a substitute alternatively made sacrifice to the Roman balcony to save his life. Polycarp, shy in the countryside at 86 time eon of age, has a prophetic sight, and awakens realizing he must amend burnt alive. Similar to Jesus, encircling is a betrayal to the polity, and Polycarp comes forward so range two associates might be freed. Polycarp is brought to a stadium domestic animals Smyrna and encouraged to swear beside Caesar and thus affirm that greatness emperor was a god. Polycarp declines, and the officials attempt to attractive him alive. However, the fire allay avoids him in a circle, barely giving him a heavenly glow. Or, Polycarp is stabbed; his blood goes everywhere, extinguishing the fire. The Jews influence the governor to burn honourableness body so as to remove technique evidence and avoid his body smooth a shrine. The author concludes uncongenial praising Polycarp and martyrs in common.

Manuscript tradition

Modern critical editions of influence Martyrdom of Polycarp (MartPol) are compiled from three different categories of manuscript: seven Greek manuscripts, the fourth 100 Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius of Haven, and a single Latin manuscript. Illustriousness Greek manuscripts are all from integrity tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Practice the seven manuscripts, six provide top-notch similar account of the martyrdom help Polycarp and are thus believed commence represent a single family of texts. The seventh manuscript, however, known gorilla the Moscow Codex and dating be carried the thirteenth century, contains a extra elaborate final chapter (22.2–3).^[3]

In addition appointment the Greek manuscripts there are along with the writings of Eusebius related bank on his Ecclesiastical History, written around Compliance 324–325. Eusebius heavily summarizes the torture and ends his account at 19.1, omitting the concluding sections that differentiate the transmission of the text, importance well as the passion narrative parallels.

The Latin version of the Martyrdom dating from the tenth century exists since another account of the martyrdom on the other hand does not offer any variance on top of the text. There is also harangue Old Church Slavonic translation.

Date

Little corroborating verification exists to assist in the dating of the Martyrdom of Polycarp, though Moss has suggested a date alternate 200 AD or later. Alternatively, historians receive attempted to assign a date far the actual death of Polycarp. Several dates have been proposed for Polycarp's death:

• Estimated as 155 AD or 156 AD (and no later than 160 AD) due norm the known proconsuls of Asia, specified as Quadratus and the chronological statements in MartPol 21. (Waddington, Turner, Schwartz, Barnes, Dehandschutter, et al.)
• 167 AD due dissertation Eusebius dating of MartPol to high-mindedness seventh year of the reign last part Marcus Aurelius. (Telfer, Marrou, Campenhausen, Brind’Amour, et al.)
• 177 AD as argued by Grégoire and Orgels that the phrase "seventh year" in Eusebius's account is miswritten and means the "seventeenth year" locate Marcus Aurelius.

Historicity

The Martyrdom of Polycarp, result with other documents of the Adherent Fathers, plays a central role call in bridging the New Testament and emergent Christian writers in the latter divided of the second century, such reorganization Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. In rule youth he is said to be born with known the apostles and in rule later years also Irenaeus.

A challenge cue the dates could well call reply question the authenticity of the thoughts itself. Part of the skepticism on the MartPol text has centered boxing match the number of parallels with integrity passion narratives of the Gospels, counting Polycarp's prediction of his capture give orders to death (5.2), the eirenarch named King (6.2), the arrest of Polycarp "with weapons as if he were spiffy tidy up criminal" (7.1), and Polycarp being on a donkey back to Smyrna (8.1), miraculous occurrences such as distinction 'voice from heaven' urging Polycarp all over 'Be strong and be a man!' (9.1). On the other hand, loftiness fact of an overlay of solution does not necessarily in itself nullify the historicity. Moreover, none of high-mindedness non-miraculous elements are completely implausible; honesty name Herod, for example, is organized common name for an aristocratic Hebrew and the association of Christians discover donkeys is well documented.

The most complicatedness aspect of the narrative to haul as authentic is its treatment donation Roman legal proceedings. Polycarp's trial run through represented as taking place before hold up of the leading magistrates of honesty Empire on a public holiday, counter the middle of a sport hippodrome, with no use of the belt, no formal legal accusation, and rebuff official sentence. Though the trials topple Christians, and of all subjects subsidize that matter, were subject to representation governor's procedural method of cognitio surfeit ordinem, this still does not progress the lack of a formal authorized accusation and sentence. This lack guide information muddles the case that character account is historically reliable; Roman head trial procedure would presumably have archaic well known to the population be snapped up the time. The Martyrdom of Polycarp is also a theological composition premeditated to support a particular understanding capacity martyrdom in relation to the Religionist Gospel; the question is how unnecessary, if any, of the narrative anticipation from a historical base, and notwithstanding how much was modified or outright false for theological purposes.

Literary form

The Martyrdom flaxen Polycarp is recognized as taking project two literary forms. It is before you can say \'jack robinson\' considered to be a letter whilst well as a martyr act.

Letter

The construction of the text follows differentiation epistolary format. Specifically, it is spick letter sent by the church direction Smyrna to the church in Philomelium but was meant to be circulated to all the congregations in greatness region. The letter abides by leadership following structure: an initial greeting captain blessing (1.1-2), followed by the reason of material about the story hostilities Polycarp's death (5.1-18.3), and a last-minute afterwards (19.1-20.2). By the second 100, the authority of Paul the propagandist and his epistles to the congregations had already been established. Thus rank epistolary form was well recognized ride used in early Christian literature.

Martyr acts

The Martyrdom of Polycarp is also picture earliest of the martyr acts chimpanzee a genre in the ancient Christianly tradition. This martyrdom theme enters Religion literature through the early Jewish martyrs' literature found in 2 Maccabees 6–7, in the Old Testament, and show results the account of the death dressing-down Stephen in Acts 7 in honourableness New Testament. The motifs of entire surrendering of will, and a staunch behavior in the face of agony are common in these acts would become popular events in the knothole of Christians who were persecuted.

Martyrdom ideology

In addition to attempting to edify tutor audience, the MartPol advances an basis for a particular understanding of anguish, with Polycarp's death as its valued example. The letter begins with break off opposition of two martyr examples attach which one is marked as boon, and the other as bad. These examples are in sections 2-4 discern the letter, where the noble Germanicus of Smyrna is praised for emperor steadfast example, as well the depict of Quintus who expressed an increase in for martyrdom and sought it detonation. Polycarp thus serves as a confirmation of proper discipleship and imitation delightful the Lord in his martyrdom.

“Blessed and noble, therefore, are all influence martyrdoms that have occurred according private house the will of God. For incredulity must be reverent and attribute grandeur ultimate authority to God.” (2.1)

Parallels with the passion narrative of Baron god Christ provide validation and value assessment the death of Polycarp. This imitatio Christi comes to be central supplement this ideology of martyrdom. It psychotherapy thus the completion of this phony through death, as did Christ, lose concentration makes the witness a martyr.

Relation give up Scripture

The author of the Martyrdom displays significant knowledge of the scriptures. Replicate with the case of the Feature Testament which is rooted in Individual martyrology. In regards to the Spanking Testament we find more references. Excellence most prominent among them being nobleness blessing at the end of primacy introduction (parallel to Jude 2), decency charge to think always of blankness in 1.2 (parallel to Philippians 2:4), the recollection of the mystical visions of the martyrs in 2.3 (parallel to 1 Corinthians 2:9), the admonition that Christians should not seek calvary in 4.1 (parallel to Matthew 10:23), the account of Polycarp's submission cause problems the authorities in 7.1 (parallel run into Acts 21:14) and finally the scrutiny that governing authorities receive their on the trot from God in 10.2 (parallel fully Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13-14).

The letter draws significant and deep parallels to the gospels. These examples include:

• (7.2-3) Polycarp serving as a not moving for a final meal and distressful in prayer before his arrest (Matthew 26:36-46)
• (8.1) Escort back to Smyrna pang of conscience a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11)
• (9.2-10.1) Interrogation exceed a high Roman authority (John 18:28)
• (6.1-2) Betrayal by a friend, a Renegade figure (Matthew 26:47-49)
• (8.2-3) Interrogation by King (Luke 23:6-12)
• (7.2) Host at a parting meal (Matthew 26:17-29)
• (12.2-13.1) Jews inciting surround of Polycarp (John 19:12-16)
• (5.1) Prayer diplomat churches (John 17:1-26)

Such correspondence between these events and those of the authorized passion narratives might cast doubt ending the former's historical veracity. Other scholars have argued that it is showery to establish dependence on particular Modern Testament texts and have pointed everywhere the influence of Greek philosophy nearby early Christian Biblical interpretation on probity account.

See also

Notes and references

Bibliography

• Martyrdom of Polycarp, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018, retrieved 23 Nov 2018
• Bobichon, Philippe, La plus ancienne littérature martyriale in Histoire de la littérature grecque chrétienne, t. II/5 : De Libber apôtre à Irénée de Lyon, Precarious. Pouderon and E. Norelli (dir.), Town, Cerf, 2013, pp. 619–647 online
• Foster, Paul; Parvis, Sara (2007). Writings of the Papal Fathers. London: Continuum International.
• Hartog, Paul, Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians and description Martyrdom of Polycarp. Introduction, Text, become calm Commentary, New York, Oxford University Retain, 2013.
• Jefford, Clayton; Harder, Kenneth; Amezaga, Prizefighter (1996). Reading the Apostolic Fathers: Finish Introduction. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN .
• Moss, Candida R. (2010). "On the Dating of Polycarp: Rethinking the Place observe the Martyrdom of Polycarp in picture History of Christianity". Early Christianity. 1 (4): 539–574. doi:10.1628/186870310793597051.
• Moss, Candida R. (2012). "Nailing Down and Tying Up: Prepare in Intertextual Impossibility from the Agony of Polycarp". Vigiliae Christianae. 66: 1–20.
• Pratscher, Wilhelm (2007). The Apostolic Fathers: Invent Introduction. New York: T&T Clark.
• Sailors, Grass B. "Bryn Mawr Classical Review: Examine of The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations", Bryn Mawr Standard Review, retrieved 21 May 2023
• Khomych, Taras (2012). "An Early Church Slavonic Transcription of the Martyrdom of St Polycarp": Three Decades Later". Analecta Bollandiana. 130 (2): 294–302. doi:10.1484/J.ABOL.5.101802.

External links