Ignatius of Antioch
c. 35 – c. 108 · Bishop of Antioch
Also known as Theophorus
Feast: 17 October (Catholic) · 20 December (Orthodox)
Bishop of Antioch, arrested and sent to Rome under Trajan c. 107-110, writing seven letters en route to the churches and to Polycarp. Martyred in Rome.
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Ignatius turned the road to execution into seven letters the church never forgot.
- Best first read
- Letter to the Ephesians
- Primary source
- Ignatius, Letters (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, To Polycarp)
Ignatius turned the road to execution into seven letters the church never forgot. As he was being taken to Rome under Trajan, he wrote to churches about Christ's real flesh, the Eucharist, martyrdom, unity, and the bishop as the visible centre of a local church. He is the first writer to use 'Catholic' as a description of the universal church. If later Christians argue about bishops, sacraments, unity, or martyrdom, Ignatius is already in the room.
Notable works
- ·Letter to the Ephesians · 107
- ·Letter to the Magnesians · 107
- ·Letter to the Trallians · 107
- ·Letter to the Romans · 107
- ·Letter to the Philadelphians · 107
- ·Letter to the Smyrnaeans · 107
Primary sources
- ·Ignatius, Letters (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, To Polycarp)
- ·Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3.22, 3.36
- ·Polycarp, Phil. 9, 13
Book of the day
The Apostolic Fathers
Clement of RomeA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. Best first collection for Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, the Didache, Barnabas, Hermas, and Papias in one place.
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