Twelve Pious Christians, who Had Come from Philadelphia to Smyrna, in the Year 168

In the letter which the Holy Ghost directed John to write to the angel of the church at Smyrna, which we mentioned above, it is indicated that not only the teacher, who is called an angel, namely Polycarp, but also some of the church, would have to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. We read: "Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried" (Revelation 2, verse 10). This was also truly fulfilled. For it is stated that not only Polycarp, the leader of the church at Smyrna, but with him also twelve members of the church, who had come from Philadelphia, were put to death for the same reason and in the same manner.

The words of Eusebius concerning these martyrs from Philadelphia, taken from the Smyrna letter, are, according to A. Mellinus, as follows: "These are the particulars of the martyrdom of Polycarp, who had come from Philadelphia to Smyrna, together with twelve others, who willingly suffered death in the same manner with him; their names are not mentioned, that of Polycarp alone being given, because, not only among the Christians, but even among the Jews and the heathen, he was famous far and wide for his extraordinary godliness. These testimonies are finished and sealed with the precious blood of the Christians. At the time of the fourth persecution, under the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, about the seventeenth year of their reign, coinciding with the 168th year of our Savior." [n154-1]

This is what we have found concerning these twelve pious witnesses of Jesus Christ, who, like the twelve celestial signs, shone forth in faith as well as in virtue, but especially in steadfastness; therefore the Lord, who is a rewarder of His faithful servants, will hereafter crown and reward them with the unfading crown of glory. See, concerning this, Abr. Mell. 1st book of the Hist., folio 42, column 2, from Euseb., book 4. [n154-2]