The Prison cell was a dark place, full of bugs and beetles and served as a haven for swarms of insects. It sat beneath the Castle, in the most hidden of apartments, all to ensure an escape was impossible.

It was in this cell that Polycarp and his family were held imprisoned. Polycarp’s hands and legs were chained, with cuffs draped with thorns. They caused his hands and legs to bleed, adding to the pains he had been in for days due to severe lashing from the soldiers.

His family, both blood and spiritual, sat down, in agony and pain as well, their lips silent, but their spirits, groaning and releasing cries to the Heavens. They were equally chained in like manner as Polycarp.

Their heads hung low, bowed in despair. They knew their fate; soon, they would have to chose between living for the world and dying for Christ; between rejecting Christ and defending His Gospel; they would have to chose between life and death.

But this was the fallen man’s view of their predicament. As they sat with heads bowed low, Polycarp raised a slow hymn, his voice was laden with anguish, making him sing the song slower than it was normally sung;

‘O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, saints in glory shine
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine’

The Family responded, “Alleluia, Alleluia!”

Polycarp continued,
‘O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.’

The Family responded, “Alleluia, Alleluia”

‘The Golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.’

Response: Alleluia, Alleluia.

The hymn progressed, from being sung with low, sorrowful tones, to being sung with hope and joy. As they sang, bright, large, and glorious creatures with wings of glory descended into the prison yard. They weren’t there to liberate them from the cell, they were there to liberate the Saints from the terrors of the cell.

Their Presence, although unseen, was strongly felt across the cell. Strength flowed into the hearts of The Family; peace beyond understanding descended into their spirits, upholding them and guarding it against despair.

They sang the hymn, like a tourist walking through a beautiful garden, then they got to the final stanza, the verse that set their faces aglow with joy, even in the shadows of death.

‘But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day;
The Saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.’

They responded with a shout, “ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!”

Just then, numerous guards of The Empire marched into the cell. It was time! The Elect exchanged glances amongst themselves, and with a nod of resignation, they stood up, walking towards the arena, as they were led by the Guards.

“All Hail King Jesus!” they exclaimed in the middle of the arena, their voice echoing around the arena.
“I gave you a choice between life and death, yet, you chose death” The Emperor said to them, with pride in his voice.

Polycarp looked at him with boldness, “Your highness, to you, we chose death, that’s because your knowledge of life and death is fallen. The path we have chosen is the path to eternal life and everlasting glory!” he declared unto the Emperor.

The Family cheered with happiness. The Emperor smirked, he was enjoying this game. He ordered for the Lions to be released.
“I’ll see you in heaven” Polycarp said to The Family.

They all smiled at one another, they would surely meet in Heaven, where there will be no sorrow, or pain, or tears; no crying; just joy, life eternal, glory and communion with The Father.

As they fell to the strength of the Lions, Angels, Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, all stood in respect, lifting their spirits off their bodies, and leading them unto the place where they would weep no more.

Written by Nwodo Divine