Today is the anniversary of Polycarp’s death, roughly 1,870 years ago (exact date is disputed). What can we learn from his life and ministry? Polycarp (c. AD 69-155 or 51-155) is one of my heroes. Trudi and I lived in Polycarp’s city for two and a half years. My eldest daughter was born there. Later … Continue reading What Can We Learn from the Life of Polycarp? (St. Polycarp Day)
Tag: martyrdom
Pray Like Polycarp
I was scheduled for part two of a root canal. (Woo hoo!) I realized I needed a better strategy entering round two than I had going into round one. I needed to be prepared to manage more than two hours of needles, whirling machines, grinding teeth (my teeth!), and a gag reflex akin to drowning. … Continue reading Pray Like Polycarp
Polycarp’s Final Days and Martyrdom
One of the most famous Christians in history—and, truly, one of my historical heroes—was an early Christian named Polycarp. Polycarp ministered to the church of ancient Smyrna (modern Izmir, on the western coast of modern Turkey—a city I resided in for two years). Polycarp lived into the middle of the 2nd century A.D., and because … Continue reading Polycarp’s Final Days and Martyrdom
Kindle Afresh 