Today’s Homily: St Polycarp of Smyrna

Saint Polycarp, disciple of Saint John and companion of Saint Ignatius, stands as a living link between the Apostles and the age of martyrs. His witness confirms the continuity of Catholic doctrine, worship, and apostolic succession from the earliest Church. Refusing compromise with heresy or idolatry, Polycarp confessed Christ publicly, embraced martyrdom, and teaches the Church today that true charity requires fidelity to truth, even at great cost.