Martyrdom of Polycarp

Lake, Loeb 1913

Chapter 7

The arrival of the police

Taking the slave then police and cavalry went out on Friday¹ about supper-time, with their usual arms, as if they were advancing against a robber.² And late in the evening they came up together against him and found him lying in an upper room. And he might have departed to another place, but would not, saying, “ the will of God be done.”

Their reception by Polycarp

So when he heard that they had arrived he went down and talked with them, while those who were present wondered at his age and courage, and whether there was so much haste for the arrest of an old man of such a kind. Therefore he ordered food and drink to be set before them at that hour, whatever they should wish, and he asked them to give him an hour to pray without hindrance.

His prayer

To this they assented, and he stood and prayed—thus filled with the grace of God— so that for two hours he could not be silent, and those who listened were astounded, and many repented that they had come against such a venerable old man.

Notes

παρασκευή is literally Preparation (i.e. for the Sabbath) and has always been used in the Greek Church for Friday.
“robber” is the traditional translation: but “brigand” is nearer the real meaning.