February 23 — Polycarp was the second bishop of Smyrne. He lived between 80 and 167.Of all the accounts of martyrdom its history is the oldest after the martyrdom of St. Étienne, and the date of his commemoration was the first to be celebrated.

Historically, he is said to be a contemporary and disciple of St. John the Evangelist and it was the latter who appointed him Bishop of Smyrna. During his episcopate he never tired of maintaining the relationship between the Eastern and Western Churches. In spite of the persecutions, he lived his faith unfailingly and entrusted himself entirely to God. He bore witness to his faith in the face of heretics and was particularly tender towards widows and slaves. Saint Irenaeus was his disciple who passed on his story to us.

He was arrested at the age of 86 during the persecution of Marcus Aurelius. When Polycarp heard of his arrest, he hid in a field, but his hiding place was revealed and he was arrested there. Seeing this, the crowd booed him and demanded that he be executed, and he was forced to recant, but he replied, "I have served Christ for 86 years, He has always been kind to me, why should I deny my Savior and King? I am a Christian if you want to know my faith, take time to meet me and listen to me". Always praying to the Lord, Polycarp was executed at the stake.