ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY Saints celebrated on the 23rd of February WELCOME! SAINT POLYCARP OF SMYRNA, BISHOP AND MARTYR Saint Polycarp, born A.D. 69, was Bishop of Smyrna (now Izmir in Turkey). A disciple of the apostle John,he was condemned to the flames at Smyrna, in the amphitheatre, in 155. St Jerome remarks that Bishop Polycarp "wrote a very useful letter to the Philippians, which is still read to the congregations in Asia". PRAYER: God of all creation, you gave your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the gospel. May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.