The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Evarestus of Smyrna
attested AD 155–160 · Scribe of the Martyrdom of Polycarp · Smyrna
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Evarestus of Smyrna was
The brother who 'wrote out' the church of Smyrna's encyclical on Polycarp's death — the earliest named author of a martyr-act, signing the oldest detailed martyrdom account in Christian literature.
Martyrdom of Polycarp 20 only (its own scribe).
Also listed in martyrs and under marcus aurelius.
Common questions
When was Evarestus active?
Evarestus of Smyrna is dated attested AD 155–160 in the archive, which places Evarestus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
What did Evarestus write?
Evarestus of Smyrna has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: The Martyrdom of Polycarp (as its scribe).
Which early sources mention Evarestus?
Evarestus of Smyrna is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from The church of Smyrna. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Evarestus from?
The archive associates Evarestus of Smyrna with Smyrna.
Writings (1)
The Martyrdom of Polycarp (as its scribe)
The church of Smyrna's letter — the first martyr-acta — set down by his handWe have sent you this letter by our brother Marcus; and Evarestus, who wrote the epistle, with his whole house, saluteth you.Read the interlinear source text →
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Martyrdom of Polycarp 20
c. AD 156These things we have written unto you by our brother Marcianus. When ye have informed yourselves of these things, send the letter to the brethren further on… Evarestus, who wrote it out, with all his house, saluteth you.The church of Smyrna · 20 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 156 · The New Prophecy erupts, AD 156
- AD 177 · Persecution at Lyon and Vienne, AD 177
- AD 180 · The Scillitan martyrs, AD 180
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Evarestus.