This post is dedicated to All Saints Day, within this post I show that as early as St. Polycarp the doctrine of Intercession of Saints was in the infancy. Glory to Jesus Christ!
This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent 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 throughout the world.
Within this excerpt, once could deduce an early stage of the Communion of Saints. Since the account writers emphasise Polycarp being with the apostles and all the righteous glorifying God whilst being consciously alive in Heaven. Another important piece of information to deduce from this letter is that the account writers state that Jesus is the “saviour of our Souls”. Which, in context of the Holy Bible–salvific powers related to eternal life are only attributed to Jehovah alone.
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