Was martyrdom of Polycarp encouraged

Answer 1

Martyrdom was seen as a noble and courageous act within early Christian communities, and individuals like Polycarp who willingly faced death rather than renounce their faith were often celebrated as martyrs and examples of steadfast faith. However, while martyrdom was respected and admired, it was not explicitly encouraged as a goal in itself. Instead, the emphasis was on remaining faithful to one's beliefs in the face of persecution, with martyrdom being an outcome of that commitment.