The Apologists · AD 130–180
Crescens, courier of Polycarp
attested c. AD 110–120 · Letter-carrier of Polycarp to Philippi · Smyrna → Philippi
The Apologists
Who Crescens, courier of Polycarp was
The trusted brother by whose hand Polycarp sent his Philippians letter — commended together with his sister, who was to follow. Whether he is the Crescens of 2 Timothy is unknowable; the name was common, the office the same.
Polycarp only (To the Philippians 14).
Common questions
When was Crescens, courier active?
Crescens, courier of Polycarp is dated attested c. AD 110–120 in the archive, which places Crescens, courier in the Apologists (AD 130–180). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Crescens, courier?
Crescens, courier of Polycarp is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Polycarp of Smyrna. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Crescens, courier from?
The archive associates Crescens, courier of Polycarp with Smyrna, Philippi. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Crescens, courier’s contemporaries?
The archive links Crescens, courier of Polycarp to 1 other figure, including Polycarp of Smyrna. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
To the Philippians 14
c. AD 135These things I have written to you by Crescens, whom up to the present time I have recommended unto you, and do now recommend. And his sister, when she comes to you, I commend in like manner.Polycarp of Smyrna · 14 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
- AD 112 · Pliny writes Trajan, AD 112
- AD 117 · Symeon and Ignatius martyred, AD 117
- AD 135 · Bar Kokhba crushed; Aelia Capitolina, AD 135
- AD 144 · Marcion expelled at Rome, AD 144
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Crescens, courier, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.