Martyrdom of Polycarp

Lake, Loeb 1913

Chapter 20

You, indeed, asked that the events should be explained to you at length, but we have for the present explained them in summary by our brother Marcion¹; therefore when you have heard these things, send the letter to the brethren further on, that they also may glorify the Lord, who takes his chosen ones from his own servants.

And to him who is able to bring us all in his grace and bounty, to his heavenly kingdom, by his only begotten Child, Jesus Christ, be glory, honour, might, and majesty for ever. Greet all the saints. Those who are with us, and Evarestus, who wrote the letter, with his whole house, greet you.

Notes

Not of course to be identified with the famous heretic. If Marcianus be the right text, it is noteworthy that Irenaeus sent his treatise on The Apostolic Preaching to a certain Marcianus. But this was probably forty years later than Polycarp’s death.