1. Devotion to Faith
In order to be a suitable candidate for the patronage of World Youth Day 2016, the saint must have been devoted to their faith. What is meant by this is that under no circumstances, do they turn away from the goodness of God. Under no amount of pressure, did the saint act against Christianity, even if it resulted in death. The following quote, from the book of Philippians, exemplifies the first requirement for being chosen as a patron saint for W.Y.D 2016.
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"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."
~ Isaiah 7:9
How has St Polycarp fulfilled this criteria?
St Polycarp exemplifies the outcomes of this criteria for a number of reasons. Throughout his life, St Polycarp remained faithful to Christianity, even when he faced death.
St Polycarp was persecuted for being a Christian, and was captured by the Romans. They pressured him to say, "Away with the Atheists" (The Christians were called Atheists at the time) with the condition that he would be free if he said it, or would be killed if he didn't. St Polycarp refused to say this phrase, as he was so firmly rooted in his faith that he didn't want to act against God. St Polycarp preferred to die than speak words opposing his beliefs. This is indeed a clear example of St Polycarp upholding this criteria.
Furthermore, in Smyrna, Christians were being persecuted. However, St Polycarp selflessly chose to lead the Christians and protect them from capture by the Romans. This is a clear example of St Polycarps devotion to his faith as he chose to risk his life in order to help Christians and keep Christianity alive.
One final reason as to how St Polycarp fulfilled this outcome was the fact that he dedicated his life to the service of God. St Polycarp became the Bishop of Smyrna in the late 1st century. He chose to dedicate his life to the service of God, spreading the word of the Lord and the message of Jesus. He dedicated his life to prayer, to strengthen his connection with God. This is another example of St Polycarps dedication to his faith.
Overall, it is clear that St Polycarp has fulfilled criteria one, "Devotion to Faith".
St Polycarp was persecuted for being a Christian, and was captured by the Romans. They pressured him to say, "Away with the Atheists" (The Christians were called Atheists at the time) with the condition that he would be free if he said it, or would be killed if he didn't. St Polycarp refused to say this phrase, as he was so firmly rooted in his faith that he didn't want to act against God. St Polycarp preferred to die than speak words opposing his beliefs. This is indeed a clear example of St Polycarp upholding this criteria.
Furthermore, in Smyrna, Christians were being persecuted. However, St Polycarp selflessly chose to lead the Christians and protect them from capture by the Romans. This is a clear example of St Polycarps devotion to his faith as he chose to risk his life in order to help Christians and keep Christianity alive.
One final reason as to how St Polycarp fulfilled this outcome was the fact that he dedicated his life to the service of God. St Polycarp became the Bishop of Smyrna in the late 1st century. He chose to dedicate his life to the service of God, spreading the word of the Lord and the message of Jesus. He dedicated his life to prayer, to strengthen his connection with God. This is another example of St Polycarps dedication to his faith.
Overall, it is clear that St Polycarp has fulfilled criteria one, "Devotion to Faith".