Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria
early 4th century
A Christian of Alexandria who, moved by zeal for God, openly denounced the emperor Maximian for his bloody persecution of Christians and was put to death for his confession.
The Holy Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria
Life
Polycarp of Alexandria was a Christian of the Egyptian city of Alexandria who was put to death during the persecution under the emperor Maximian (305-313). According to his synaxarion account, he was unable to remain silent while he daily witnessed fellow Christians arrested and tortured for refusing to deny Christ and reject the worship of idols.
Moved by zeal, Polycarp confronted the ruler directly, rebuking him for shedding the blood of his own countrymen because they confessed the one true God. His open denunciation angered the authorities, and he was arrested, tortured, and finally beheaded. He is commemorated on April 2.
He is distinct from the better-known Hieromartyr Polycarp of Smyrna, the second-century bishop and disciple of the Apostle John.