The Martyrdom of Polycarp

This was carried out more quickly than it was spoken, as the crowds immediately gathered wood and fagots from the shops and baths; the Jews especially, according to custom, eagerly helped with this. When the funeral pile was ready, Polycarp removed all his garments and loosened his belt, intending to take off his sandals too—a task he was not used to, as everyone of the faithful was always eager to be the first to touch his skin. Because of his holy life, he was adorned with every kind of good even before his martyrdom. Then they immediately surrounded him with the materials prepared for the funeral pile. But when they were about to fasten him with nails, he said, “Leave me as I am; for He who gives me strength to endure the fire will also enable me, without you securing me with nails, to remain still in the pile.”