As Polycarp entered the arena, a voice came from heaven: “Be strong, Polycarp, and be courageous.” No one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. When he was brought forward, a great uproar arose among those who heard that Polycarp had been arrested.
When he was brought before him, the proconsul asked whether he was Polycarp. When he admitted it, the proconsul tried to persuade him to deny, saying, “Respect your age,” and the other customary things: “Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent; say, ‘Away with the atheists!’” Polycarp looked sternly at the whole crowd of lawless Gentiles in the arena, waved his hand toward them, groaned, looked up to heaven, and said, “Away with the atheists!”
As the proconsul continued pressing him and saying, “Swear, and I will release you. Revile Christ,” Polycarp said, “For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”