Polycarp

69CE-155/167CE

• Irenaeus claimed he was a companion of Papias and a "hearer" of John.
• Irenaeus also claims Polycarp was converted to Christianity by apostles.
• There are claims that he and Ignatius had correspondence but the surviving letter we have of Polycarp contains interpolations and the letters of Ignatius are also considered spurious.
• St. Alphonsus reports that Irenaeus had the good fortune, when young, to know Polycarp who was advanced in age.
• In the Martyrdom of Polycarp it states he had served for 86 years, it is unclear if he is referring to his age or if he had lived 86 years after his conversion.
• Irenaeus states that on Polycarp's visit to Rome that he converted many disciples of Marcion and Valentinus. Which would be likely post 140CE because Marcion published his canon around 140CE-144CE and Valentinus formed his own group after not becoming Bishop of Rome (Pope) between 136CE-143CE.