St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was close to St. John the Evangelist, and sometimes accompanied him on his apostolic journeys. In the second century, St. Polycarp was martyred under emperor Aurelius for refusing to renounce Christ as Lord and King. At his trial, he said, “Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?”

~ “God of all creation, who were pleased to give the Bishop Saint Polycarp a place in the company of the Martyrs, grant, through his intercession, that, sharing with him in the chalice of Christ, we may rise through the Holy Spirit to eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal