Ignatius of Antioch

Lore & Background

Nothing is known of Ignatius' life apart from his letters and later traditions. He is said to have converted to Christianity at a young age, and tradition identifies him and his friend Polycarp as disciples of John the Apostle. He was chosen to serve as Bishop of Antioch; the fourth-century historian Eusebius writes that Ignatius succeeded Evodius, while Theodoret of Cyrrhus claimed that St. Peter himself left directions for Ignatius' appointment. Ignatius was called Theophorus, meaning 'God-bearer,' and a tradition exists that he was one of the children Jesus Christ took in his arms and blessed.

Ignatius was condemned to death for his faith but was taken to Rome by a company of ten soldiers rather than executed in Antioch. Scholars consider this transport unusual, as Christians were typically punished locally. Various theories have been proposed for why he was sent to Rome, including that he was to be a spectacle in the Colosseum, or that a legate sent him for trial. During the journey, Ignatius made lengthy stops in Asia Minor, deviating from the most direct route, and was allowed to meet with Christians and send letters. The date of his martyrdom is traditionally placed in the reign of Trajan, though some scholars argue for a later date in the 130s or 140s.

Reader's Guide

Ignatius of Antioch is significant primarily for the seven letters he wrote while being transported to Rome for execution. These letters are among the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament and provide crucial insight into the development of early church structure, particularly the role of bishops, as well as sacramental theology. The authenticity of the letters has been questioned, but they continue to serve as an example of early Christian theology. His martyrdom account, the Martyrium Ignatii, is presented as an eye-witness report and includes details of his confrontation with Emperor Trajan and his journey. Ignatius is venerated widely: his feast day is 17 October in the Catholic Church, the Church of England, the Episcopal Church, and Lutheran Churches; 20 December in the Eastern Orthodox Church; and 24 Koiak in the Coptic Orthodox Church. His relics were reportedly moved from Antioch to Rome in 637. The unusual circumstances of his transport and the freedom he was given to meet Christians during his journey remain topics of scholarly debate, with no fully satisfactory explanation for why he was sent to Rome rather than executed locally.

Did You Know?

• Ignatius is also known as Ignatius Theophorus, meaning 'the God-bearing.'
• He wrote a series of letters while en route to Rome, where he was to be killed.
• Tradition identifies Ignatius and his friend Polycarp as disciples of John the Apostle.
• His feast day is observed on different dates in Western, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic traditions.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"προφυλάσσω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τῶν θηρίων τῶν ἀνθρωπομόρφων." — Ignatius of Antioch "I watch over you betimes to protect you from wild beasts in human form." — Ignatius of Antioch "τόπος μηδένα φυσιούτω· τὸ γὰρ ὅλον ἐστὶν πίστις καὶ ἀγάπη, ὧν οὐδὲν προκέκριται." — Ignatius of Antioch "Let not office puff up any man; for faith and love are all in all, and nothing is preferred before them." — Ignatius of Antioch