St. Polycarp Church in Izmir

I searched out one place in particular when I was in Izmir last year: St Polycarp Church.

Polycarp studied under John the Apostle and led the Christian Church in Smyrna (Izmir) until his death in about 155. As the story goes, the Romans arrested Polycarp and accused him of being an atheist (because Christians didn't acknowledge the Roman gods). The Roman proconsul urged him to say, "Caesar is Lord," to escape torture and death. But Polycarp responded, "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" So he was burned at the stake.

It took some looking around before we found the church. We rang the bell and waited a long time. Finally an Italian-speaking nun came out and let us in. Polycarp is inspirational. The church wasn't bad.