The Epistle of Polycarp
 
Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–155 AD) stands as one of the most important figures of the early Church. A direct disciple of the Apostle John, Polycarp provides a vital link between the first generation of Christians who walked with Christ and the second generation who inherited their teaching. As bishop of Smyrna, he shepherded his community with faithfulness and courage, and his writings remain a treasured witness to the faith and practice of the earliest believers.
 
In his Epistle to the Philippians, Polycarp exhorts Christians to remain steadfast in holiness, prayer, and charity, while warning against false teachers who distort the gospel. He offers guidance to bishops, presbyters (priests), deacons, and laypeople alike, showing us the ordered life of worship and pastoral care in the early second century. His words echo the New Testament writers, yet also carry the weight of lived experience passed down directly from the Apostles.
 
This edition from Knights of Saint George Press presents Polycarp’s letter as part of our Historical Studies in Church History series, making this foundational text accessible for study, devotion, and a deeper appreciation of the Church’s living tradition.