St. Polycarp

Meet the Fruitful Martyr -- Our Patron Saint:

Why is St. Polycarp the heart of the Salvation of Souls mission? His very name means "bearing much fruit," a prophetic title for a man who spent every waking breath leading souls back to Christ. Polycarp didn't just preach the faith—he lived it with a bold intensity that changed the course of Church history. The legacy of this Apostolic Father and his unwavering courage continues to fuel our mission today. 

A Disciple of the Beloved -- The Apostolic Connection:

St. Polycarp was a priest and personal disciple of the Apostle John, receiving his faith from one of the original twelve. Ordained as the Bishop of Smyrna (modern day Turkey) by John himself, Polycarp became a living bridge to the Apostles, preserving their sacred traditions through centuries of hostility. 

Unshakeable Faith -- The Miracle at the Stake:

When the Roman Proconsul demanded Polycarp blaspheme his King, the 86-year-old saint stood tall. "Eighty-six years have I served Him," he famously replied, "and He never did me any injury." What followed was one of the most miraculous accounts in early Church history: the roaring flames refused to touch him, arching around his body like a golden veil while the air filled with the scent of costly incense. Witness the power of a soul that could not be consumed, whose blood eventually extinguished the very fires of his execution. 

To learn more about St. Polycarp, check out these additional resources below:

• Podcast

• Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians: