"Say 'Away with the atheists, '" ordered a Roman official as Polycarp stood in Smyrna's arena. Polycarp obeyed with a sweep of his hand-- not at his fellow Christians but at his pagan tormentors (314:2)

"I have beasts, " warned the proconsul (314:3)

"Bring them in, " Polycarp retorted. "Why delay?" (314:4)

To pagans howling for blood, such readiness to lose it seemed madness. Not to Christians. Martyrdom was better than baptism, for it washed away sin at the moment when a man could sin no more. Steeled by the prospect of instant sainthood, the martyrs endured their agonies, often with a bravery that moved jaded pagans to embrace such a compelling faith (314:5)

The account of Polycarp's death, written by an aide, is our oldest eyewitness report of a martyrdom; but the idea of feast days and veneration of relics had already begun. From Polycarp's funeral pyre followers snatched "his bones, being of more value than precious stones.". (315:1)

Persecution rose to a crescendo under Dioletian at the end of the third century. Torturers labored to break a Christian's faith, slaying him if they failed; to his accuser often went the dead man's property. Priceless Christian writings went up in flames as Diocletian's edicts emptied church libraries. Daring bishops hid their scriptures and damned those who let the soldiers rampage (315:2)

End of Quote

Great Religions of World
National Geo Society