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Smyrna
Smyrna, like Ephesus is a sea port and an important commercial centre. It was
alleged to be the birthplace of Homer. It was a significant centre of
Christianity in that it received a personal letter from Jesus Christ.
Text: Revelations 2:8-11
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to
life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know
the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the
devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer
persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will
give you the crown of life.
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Context of the church in Smyrna [smur nuh]
According to scholars of Christian history in Asia Minor, the Christians
initially lived in peace as it was regarded as a sect of Judaism until the
second half of the first century. Judaism enjoyed a special place in Roman Rule
especially after the Maccabees revolts. Jews are allowed to worship their One
True God and are exempted from Emperor worship. They are to offer sacrifices to
the Caesar, not as to gods but as to rulers. This changed during the rule of
Emperor Nero who threw suspicions on Christians as the one who started the Great
Fire in Rome.
The Jews themselves were increasingly unhappy to be grouped together with
Christian whom they regarded to be following a false messiah. There began to
have religious conflicts between the Jews and Christians. In Smyrna, the Jews
were said to have ‘slandered’ the Christians (v.9) and exposed them to the Roman
authorities who would imprison them or execute them (v.10). By distancing
Christianity from Judaism, these Jews showed the Roman authorities that
Christians are not under the exemption that Judaism enjoyed. The word ‘satan’
means ‘adversary’. One important point is Emperor worship.
There were many temples to the Roman Emperors in Smyrna. Smyrna was granted the
right to have a temple warden by Emperor Tiberius. Indeed, the imperial cult
permeated virtually every aspect of city and often even village life in Asia
Minor, so that individuals could aspire to economic prosperity and greater
social standing only by participating to some degree in the Roman cult. Citizens
of both upper and lower classes were required by local law to sacrifice to the
emperor on various special occasions, and sometimes even visitors and foreigners
were invited to do so. City officials were so dedicated to the cult that they
even distributed money to citizens from public funds to pay for sacrifices to
the emperor (in, for example, Ephesus). It was almost impossible to have a share
in a city’s public life without also having a part in some aspect of the
imperial cult. Pressure on Christians to conform to such participation would
have increased during Domitian’s reign (81–96 AD). Those refusing to participate
were seen as politically disloyal and unpatriotic and would be arrested and
punished according to Roman law (e.g., exile, capital punishment). This would
explain why the Christians in Smyrna as being physically poor. The letters to
the other churches did not suggest the other churches to be poor.
Archaeological site
Not much remains of Roman period in Izmir (ancient Smyrna).The remains of the
ancient agora of Smyrna constitute today the space of İzmir Agora Museum in
İzmir's Namazgah quarter, although its area is commonly referred to as "Agora"
by the city's inhabitants. Situated on the northern slopes of the Pagos hills,
it was the commercial, judicial and political nucleus of the ancient city, its
center for artistic activities and for teaching. İzmir Agora Open Air Museum
consists of five parts, including the agora area, the base of the northern
basilica gate, the stoa and the ancient shopping centre.
The agora of Smyrna was built during the Hellenistic era. After a destructive
earthquake in 178 AD, Smyrna was rebuilt in the Roman period (2nd century AD)
under the emperor Marcus Aurelius, according to an urban plan drawn by
Hippodamus of Miletus. The bust of the emperor's wife Faustina on the second
arch of the western stoa confirms this fact. It was constructed on a sloping
terrain in three floors, close to the city center. The terrain is 165 m wide and
200 m long. It is bordered on all sides by porticos. Because a Byzantine and
later an Ottoman cemetery were located over the ruins of the agora, it was
preserved from modern constructions. This agora is now the largest and the best
preserved among Ionian agoras. The agora is now surrounded by modern buildings
that still cover its eastern and southern parts. The agora was used until the
Byzantine period. (Wiki)
Polycarp
Bishop Polycarp (c. A.D. 69/70—c. 155–160) was an important Christian leader
in Asia Minor in the first half of the second century. Already bishop of Smyrna
when his friend and mentor Ignatius of Antioch addressed a letter of
encouragement and advice to him (c. 110 or later), Polycarp died a martyr’s
death several decades later at age 86 (c. 155–160), having served as bishop for
at least forty and possibly sixty or more years. His one surviving letter
reveals a direct and unpretentious style and a sensitive pastoral manner, while
in the Martyrdom he is described as the “teacher of all Asia” (Mart. Pol.
12.2). His life and ministry spanned the time between the end of the apostolic
era and the emergence of catholic Christianity, and he was deeply involved in
the central issues and challenges of this critical era: the growing threat of
persecution by the state; the emerging gnostic movement (he is particularly
known for his opposition to one of the movement’s most charismatic and
theologically innovative teachers, Marcion); and the formation of the
canon of the NT.
Only a single document by Polycarp survives, his letter to the Philippians.
Written in response to a letter from the church in Philippi, it seeks to define
and reinforce community boundaries while responding to their request for a
discussion of “righteousness”. There is another document which is a letter from
the church at Smyrna to the church at Philomelium known as the Martyrdom of
Polycarp is the oldest written account of a Christian martyrdom outside the
NT. The information in Martyrdom of Polycarp mentions the month and day
(February 22, or perhaps 23), but not the year of Polycarp’s death. According to
Eusebius he died in 167, but the reliability of his information is questionable.
Evidence regarding the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus suggests a date around
156; this squares well with the report that not long before his arrest Polycarp
visited Bishop Anicetus of Rome, who became bishop there not earlier than 154.
(modified from Martin, R. P., & Davids, P. H. (Eds.). (1997). In Dictionary of
the later New Testament and its developments. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press.)
source: Google Images
9. But as Polycarp entered the stadium, there came a voice
from heaven: “Be strong, Polycarp, and act like a man.” And no one saw the
speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And then, as
he was brought forward, there was a great tumult when they heard that Polycarp
had been arrested. Therefore, when he was brought before him, the proconsul
asked if he were Polycarp.And when he confessed that he was, the proconsul tried
to persuade him to recant, saying, “Have respect for your age,” and other such
things as they are accustomed to say: “Swear by the Genius of Caesar; repent;
say, ‘Away with the atheists!’ ” So Polycarp solemnly looked at the who faithful
who were with him, “It is necessary that I be burned alive.”
So Polycarp solemnly looked at the whole crowd of lawless heathen who were in
the stadium, motioned toward them with his hand, and then (groaning as he looked
up to heaven) said, "Away with the atheists!" But when the magistrate persisted
and said, "Swear the oath, and I will release you; revile Christ," Polycarp
replied, "For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has
done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
13. These things then happened with such swiftness, quicker than words could
tell, the crowd swiftly collecting wood and kindling from the workshops and
baths, the Jews being especially eager to assist in this, as is their custom.
When the pyre was prepared, he took off all his clothes and removed his belt; he
also tried to take off his shoes, though not previously in the habit of doing
this, because all the faithful were always eager to be the first to touch his
flesh. For he had been treated with all honor on account of his holy life even
before his gray hair appeared. Then the materials prepared for the pyre were
placed around him; and as they were also about to nail him, he said: “Leave me
as I am; for he who enables me to endure the fire will also enable me to remain
on the pyre without moving, even without the sense of security which you get
from the nails.”
14. So they did not nail him, but tied him instead. Then he, having placed his
hands behind him and having been bound, like a splendid ram chosen from a great
flock for a sacrifice, a burnt offering prepared and acceptable to God, looked
up to heaven and said: “O Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed
Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, the God of
angels and powers and of all creation, and of the whole race of the righteous
who live in your presence, I bless you because you have considered me worthy of
this day and hour, that I might receive a place among the number of the martyrs
in the cup of your Christ, to the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and
of body, in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among
them in your presence today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as you have
prepared and revealed beforehand, and have now accomplished, you who are the
undeceiving and true God. For this reason, indeed for all things, I praise you,
I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus
Christ, your beloved Son, through whom to you with him and the Holy Spirit be
glory both now and for the ages to come. Amen.”
15. When he had offered up the “Amen” and finished his prayer, the men in charge
of the fire lit the fire. And as a mighty flame blazed up, we saw a miracle (we,
that is, to whom it was given to see), and we have been preserved in order that
we might tell the rest what happened. For the fire, taking the shape of an arch,
like the sail of a ship filled by the wind, completely surrounded the body of
the martyr; and it was there in the middle, not like flesh burning but like
bread baking or like gold and silver being refined in a furnace. For we also
perceived a very fragrant odor, as if it were the scent of incense or some other
precious spice.
Holmes, M. W. (1999). The Apostolic Fathers: Greek texts and English
translations (Updated ed., pp. 237–241). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Saint Polycarpos Church
This is a catholic church that was built in 1625 and given to
the administration of Capuchin priests. It is also the oldest church of Izmir
that continues its function. It was made on behalf of Saint Polycarpos among the
students of John the Apostle who was killed in 155 at Kadifakale by the Romans
due to his Christian belief. It was damaged in the earthquake in 1688 and then
burned in the coming years. It was restored in 1690 and 1691 with its
surroundings. The church that is constructed in basilica plan from cut stone and
bricks has three naves. The apse part is flooding towards outside in three
sections. The church is covered with ruffle roof and belfry from cut stone is
added to its front.
Churches in Turkey (2007) Istanbul: AS & 64 Limited (183)
It was an incredible experience to visit this wonderful church
in downtown Izmir.
photogallery (click on photos to enlarge and for the correct
proportion)
| 24 May 2013 |
Sermon on Lessons from Smyrna
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