Eighty-Six Years (St. Polycarp of Smyrna)

κύριε ἐλέησον
ἅγιε πολύκαρπε, πρέσβευε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν
Christus vincit

From apostle's hands the fire was passed
John's disciple, anchor of the past
Smyrna's shepherd in hostile land
Rome's iron fist, blood on sand

False teachers rose with poisoned breath
Twisting Christ to spiritual death
Polycarp stood, old but strong
Apostolic truth his war-song

Not new doctrine
Not shifting sand
But what was taught
By Christ's own hand

Stand, polycarp
Bishop of fire, martyr of truth
Guardian of apostolic proof
No denial, no retreat
Rome may threaten, beasts may roar
Christ is king forevermore

They hunted him through fields and stone
He could flee, but chose the throne
Of sacrifice, of martyr's crown
Knelt in prayer when guards came down

Dragged to stadium's screaming crowd
Governor called: Curse Christ aloud
The old man raised his fearless eyes
Thunder answered rome's lies

No compromise
No disguise
Only Christ
Before his eyes

Stand, polycarp
Voice of heaven, blade of faith
Stronger than chains, stronger than death
No denial, no retreat
Truth does not bend to caesar's throne
Christ alone

Eighty-six years I served my king
He never wronged me, not one thing
How can I blaspheme my lord
Who saved my soul with his own blood?

They lit the fire, the crowd roared loud
Flames formed a wall, would not devour
Executioner struck with steel
Blood quenched fire, heaven sealed

The fire failed
The sword obeyed
But Christ received
What polycarp gave

Stand, polycarp
Burned in body, crowned in flame
Martyrdom sealed his name
No denial, no retreat
The church was built on blood like this
Victory through the abyss

Martyr dei, testis veritatis
Corona vitae