Gaius copied this account from the writings of Irenaeus and had also lived with Irenaeus, who had been a disciple of holy Polycarp.
For this Irenaeus was in Rome at the time of Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom and taught many people. Many excellent and entirely orthodox writings of his remain, in which he mentions Polycarp, saying that he learned from him. He thoroughly refuted every heresy and handed down the ecclesiastical and catholic rule as he had received it from the saint.
He also says this: once Marcion, from whom the so-called Marcionites take their name, met holy Polycarp and said, “Recognize us, Polycarp.” Polycarp answered Marcion, “I recognize you; I recognize the firstborn of Satan.”
It is also recorded in the writings of Irenaeus that, on the very day and hour when Polycarp suffered martyrdom in Smyrna, Irenaeus, while in the city of Rome, heard a voice like a trumpet saying, “Polycarp has suffered martyrdom.”
From these writings of Irenaeus, then, as stated above, Gaius made a copy, and in Corinth Isocrates copied from Gaius’s copies. I, Pionius, in turn wrote from the copies of Isocrates after searching for them, in accordance with a revelation of holy Polycarp. I gathered them together when they had nearly worn away with age, so that the Lord Jesus Christ may also gather me with his elect into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.