The Commemoration of Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, (Now Izmir) Turkey, martyred in 156. A disciple of St John the Evangelist, he was "a principal connecting link between the apostolic age and and Christian life of the second century. "

Harden

not 

your hearts

as 

your 

for-bears 

did 

in the 

wilderness                (The Venite: Psalm 95:8a)

Told to Curse Christ and save his life, Polycarp said " 86 years have I served him and he never did me an wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?