Listen

St. Polycarp Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Creator:
Published:
December 5, 2023
February 23, 2019
Who was St. Polycarp? Learn more this early Christian martyr through our Spotify playlist inspired by his life and legacy.|Who was St. Polycarp? Learn more this early Christian martyr through our Spotify playlist inspired by his life and legacy.|St. Polycarp Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Born when the Christian faith was still emerging, St. Polycarp was a follower of St. John, the Beloved Disciple, and went on to teach others and send supportive and instructive letters to distant Christian communities. Besides having a strange name, though, Polycarp is best known for his martyrdom.

Living during a time of Christian persecution, Polycarp was ready to die for his faith. Yet, when he was about to be arrested, he hid for as long as possible. Eventually, he had to face his fate. Before being taken away, Polycarp asked the authorities for a few hours to pray.

In front of a large crowd at an outdoor amphitheater, Polycarp professed his faith and refused to succumb to threats.

“I have wild beasts,” the judge said. 

“Call for them,” replied Polycarp, “for we will not be moved from good to evil.” 


“If you hate the beasts, I will have you consumed by fire,” the judge said.



“You threaten me with fire that burns for a season, and is quenched after a while,” Polycarp replied, “but you do not know of the judgment to come and of the fire of eternal punishment that is prepared for the wicked. Why do you delay? Bring against me what you please.”

The judge finally decided to burn Polycarp alive. When the pyre was lit, though, the flames did not touch him. Instead, the fire swelled around him like sails on a ship, and released a scent of incense. When the soldiers saw this, they killed him with a spear.

Polycarp’s teaching — and especially his example — was foundational for the early Church.

Get to know this early Christian martyr through our Spotify playlist inspired by his life and legacy.

If the entire playlist isn't loading below, click on the Spotify logo to listen to the full playlist on Spotify.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 5, 2023
February 23, 2019
On a related note...
Be Gentle, For We Are All Grieving

Be Gentle, For We Are All Grieving

Stephanie DePrez

Didn't Do Lent? You Can Still Celebrate Easter

Didn't Do Lent? You Can Still Celebrate Easter

Lillian Fallon

3 Reasons I Secretly Love Going to Confession

3 Reasons I Secretly Love Going to Confession

Sophie Caldecott

What My Faith Taught Me About the Power of Fashion

What My Faith Taught Me About the Power of Fashion

Lillian Fallon

St. Agatha Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Agatha Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Feast Day: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Feast Day: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Grotto

I Failed, and I Failed Hard

I Failed, and I Failed Hard

Anna White

What is 'Sin,' Really?

What is 'Sin,' Really?

Ben Wilson

How Self-Denial Transforms the Bachelor Life

How Self-Denial Transforms the Bachelor Life

Isaac Huss

How Jon Batiste’s Music Can Help Us ‘Hold On To the Light’

How Jon Batiste’s Music Can Help Us ‘Hold On To the Light’

Alessandra Harris

How Do We Protect Our Peace?

How Do We Protect Our Peace?

Hannah Chartier

Grotto’s Travel Guide to Chicago

Grotto’s Travel Guide to Chicago

Andrew Mentock

Why 'Living for the Weekend' is No Way to Live

Why 'Living for the Weekend' is No Way to Live

Patrick Schmadeke

What is a Synod?

What is a Synod?

Grotto

How I Learned to Be Emotionally Open with God in Prayer

How I Learned to Be Emotionally Open with God in Prayer

Lillian Fallon

Easter Celebrations by Grotto Network

Easter Celebrations by Grotto Network

Grotto

Does It Matter What I Wear to Church?

Does It Matter What I Wear to Church?

Grotto

What is Ash Wednesday? Catholic Trivia

What is Ash Wednesday? Catholic Trivia

Grotto

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross

Grotto

What If All Sins Gave You a Hangover?

What If All Sins Gave You a Hangover?

Isaac Huss

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.