The Apologists · AD 130–180
Papirius of Smyrna
d. c. AD 170 · Successor in Polycarp's tradition · 'Blessed Papirius' · Smyrna
The Apologists
Who Papirius of Smyrna was
Named by Polycrates between Polycarp and Melito among the luminaries of Asia — 'the blessed Papirius' — by tradition a successor in the Smyrnaean church of the martyred bishop.
Polycrates only (via Eusebius V.24).
Common questions
When did Papirius die?
Papirius of Smyrna is dated d. c. AD 170 in the archive, which places Papirius 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 Papirius?
Papirius of Smyrna is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Polycrates of Ephesus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Papirius from?
The archive associates Papirius of Smyrna with Smyrna.
Who were Papirius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Papirius of Smyrna to 3 other figures, including Polycarp of Smyrna, Polycrates of Ephesus and Melito of Sardis. 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.
Polycrates to Victor, via Ecclesiastical History V.24
c. AD 195…Polycarp in Smyrna, both bishop and martyr; and Thraseas… and the blessed Papirius; and Melito the eunuch, who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit.Polycrates of Ephesus · V.24 · 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Papirius.