Orthodox Icon of St. Polycarp of Smyrna

Holy Hieromartyr Polycarp, COPYRIGHTED ART. Do not copy or deep-link to without prior permission from "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art. Bishop of Smyrna

February 23rd
Troparion (Tone 4)
Thy name was verified by thy works O wise Hieromartyr Polycarp. Thou wast a fruitful olive tree in the house of the Lord, and dost nourish the Church with the spiritual bounty of thy words and deeds. Thou dost intercede for our souls, O Hierarch and steadfast Prizewinner.

Polycarp was discipled and baptized by the Apostle John the Theologian. He always sought to emulate St. Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna and the Apostles John and Paul, whom he also knew. St. Bucolus ordained him priest, then declared him his successor as bishop as he was dying. St. Polycarp was consecrated bishop by those bishops who had gathered for Bucolus' funeral. St. Polycarp is the only individual to whom a surviving epistle from St. Ignatios exists, and he was responsible for gathering and preserving the other epistles. He saw many miraculous answers to his prayers. During the time of Marcus Aurelius, the Jews of the area conspired to have him burned. When Polycarp was ordered to "revile Christ" by the proconsul, he responded, "I have served Him eighty-six years and in no way has He dealt unjustly with me; so how can I blaspheme my King who saved me? They tried to burn him at the stake. He prayed and sang aloud in the flames. It is said he shone like an angel. But the flames did not harm him. The pagan judge ordered the executioner to stab the saint with his lance, whereupon the blood pouring out of his body extinguished the flames. The Jews persuaded the proconsul to have his body burned, thus dishonoring him in death, whom they couldn't burn in life. This icon commemorates St. Polycarp's contribution to the Liturgy. The scroll in his hand reads: "I praise Thee. I bless Thee. I glorify Thee."

As the fires were raging in California, we asked for St. Polycarp's intercession as a conqueror of fire to aid and protect the firefighters and others; and to bring a swift end to the conflagrations. And we asked for many others to do the same. On the same day we made that request; rain and snow and cool, damp breezes came to southern California to help contain the fires. Let us give thanks to God, who delights to glorify his Saints.

This icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas. It is from St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA.

Order # pha-19