St. Polycarp of Smyrna was converted by St. John the Apostle. He was a bishop and a respected Christian leader in the early second century. Circa the year 155, Romans tried to burn Polycarp alive in an arena, but St. Polycarp was miraculously safe. The mob then stabbed him, and St. Polycarp died a martyr. He is the patron saint against earaches because it is said he once stated he would rather not hear than hear heretical doctrines.