This, then, is the account of the blessed Poly- carp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadel- phia) , yet occupies a place of his own ^ in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is every- where spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all de- sire to imitate, as having been altogether consis- tent with the Gospel of Christ. For, having through patience overcome the unjust governor, and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all the righteous [in heaven], rejoicingly glorifies God, even the Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church through- out the world.9