SMYRNA |
It is believed; writer of Revelation St. John send letter which based on to seven churches
region:Ephesus, Smyrna, Pheledelphia, Thyateira, Sardis, Alaşehir and Laodicea. Smyrna is
only church that didn't destroyed.
Seven Churches Tours's Groups arrange Masses at St.
Polykarp Church . This is the oldest churh in İzmir. We explain St. Polykarp church by
conforming this custom. But to arrange a Mass you must contact Anabatours authorities
before coming.For this case you may give some money to church donation box. The
below information was referenced from the broshur that belong to church.
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SAINT POLYCARP CHURCH Modern
scholars generally think that the Christian martyrdom stories are highly exaggerated and
that if Roman persecution had been as severe as claimed, Christianity would have been an
underground movement never able to reach large groups. Also, early' Christian leaders, in
order to encourage their flocks who may have lost hope and courage, are thought to have
chosen this sort of self-sacrifice, following the path of Christ and ensuring their
popularity both in this world and the one to come. Popular punishments reserved for
Christians were crucifixion, burning or being thrown to wild animals, with the latter two
often carried out in open places of assembly.At the left, the photo of outview
orSt Polycarp Church |
| When his friends learned that the Roman authorities were looking for him, St Polycarp was taken outside the city and moved from one farm to the other to mislead his searchers. Nevertheless, finally he was arrested and brought to the stadium. The efforts of the proconsul to pursuade him take oath to the emperor and curse Christ were useless. The story of St Polycarps martyrdom is narrated in a letter written from the church in Smyrna to the church in Philomelium (Akşehir). | |
Modern scholars generally think that the Christian martyrdom stories are highly exaggerated and that if Roman persecution had been as severe as claimed, Christianity would have been an underground movement never able to reach large groups. Also, early' Christian leaders, in order to encourage their flocks who may have lost hope and courage, are thought to have chosen this sort of self-sacrifice, following the path of Christ and ensuring their popularity both in this world and the one to come. Popular punishments reserved for Christians were crucifixion, burning or being thrown to wild animals, with the latter two often carried out in open places of assembly. The story of the martyrdom of St Polycarp is regarded as the first authentic narrative of a Christian martyrdom and is a typical example of the persecubons that Christian leaders suffered. His story gives detailed information of how he was arrested and martyred by the mob of Smyrna. St Polycarp is thought to have lived in about 69-1 56, and met some of the apostles whc had known Christ. He is thought to have been converted by St John and appointed by him to his post as the bishop of Smyrna. |
Saint
Polycarp is being of marty |
The persecution of Christians in Smyrna was probably no more frequent than in any other Roman city. It was carried out in the stadium (Its site is completely built over and there is no trace of it.) near the southern fortifications of the city and close to the sea. During one such spectacle the crowd having been frustrated by the calmness and composure with which the young Christian victim Germanicus met his death, began shouting for St Polycarp to be brought for punisFment. |
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