Fruitful Polycarp: Imagery and Symbolism in The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Abstract. 

Early martyrdom accounts are replete with depictions of the martyrs themselves embodied as fruit, bread, wine, and, more generally, as food. The Martyrdom of St Polycarp is no exception; these themes take a central place in the narrative depiction of the martyr. This paper explores these themes in the broader context of the Old Testament burnt offering, the eucharistic meal, St Paul's imagery of grafting, and the Christian concept of fruitfulness and the vine. In so doing, it endeavours to contextualise the martyrdom of St Polycarp within the broader early Christian tradition of floral and comestible imagery and symbolism. As part of that discussion, it also touches on important Orthodox themes related to those symbols and the act of martyrdom such as suffering, kenosis, and theosis.

KEYWORDS: Polycarp, martyrdom, symbolism, Eucharist, kenosis, theosis, hagiography