For I am confident...

…that you are well versed in the Scriptures, and from you nothing is hid; but to me this is not granted. Only, as it is said in these Scriptures, “Be ye angry and sin not,” and “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Blessed is the man who remembers this, and I believe that it is so with you. Now may God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the “eternal Priest” himself, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, build you up in faith and truth, and in all gentleness, and without wrath, and in patience, and in longsuffering, and endurance, and purity, and may He give you lot and part with His saints, and to us with you, and to all under heaven who shall believe in our Lord and God Jesus Christ and in His “Father who raised Him from the dead.” “Pray for all the saints. Pray also for the Emperors,” and for potentates, and princes, and for “those who persecute you and hate you,” and for “the enemies of the Cross” that “your fruit may be manifest among all men, that you may be perfected” in Him.

St. Polycarp of Smyrna, late 2nd – early 3rd centuries, commemorated 23 February
Epistle to the Philippians 12.1-3
icon at: http://comeandseeicons.com/p/pha19.htm

Troparion (tone 4)
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation,
O inspired one of God;
by teaching the word of truth without error,
you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Polycarp, entreat Christ God to save our souls.