Ignatius of Antioch
late 1st/early 2nd century Christian author and Patriarch of Antioch / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (also known as Theophorus) (AD. 35-107)[1] was the third Bishop or Patriarch of Antioch and a student of the Apostle John. En route to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius wrote a series of letters, including one to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who had also known John. These letters are an example of the theology of the earliest Christians. Important topics addressed in these letters include ecclesiology, the sacraments, and the role of bishops.
Ignatius of Antioch | |
---|---|
Saint, Martyr, Patriarch Theophorus | |
Born | ca. 35 |
Died | ca. 107 Rome |
Canonized | pre-congregation |
Major shrine | Relics are in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome |
Feast | 17 October (in Western Christianity) 20 December in (Eastern Christianity) |
Attributes | a bishop surrounded by lions or in chains |
Patronage | Church in eastern Mediterranean; Church in North Africa |
Ignatius' feast day is observed on 17 October in Western Christianity and 20 December in Eastern Christianity.
Ignatius became Bishop of Antioch after Saint Peter and Evodius, who died around AD 67. Besides the Latin name, Ignatius, he also called himself Theophorus ("God Bearer"), and tradition says he was one of the children Jesus took in His arms and blessed. Ignatius was most likely a disciple of the Apostle John.[2]
Ignatius is generally considered to be one of the Apostolic Fathers (the earliest authoritative group of the Church Fathers) and a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Anglican/Episcopal Church who celebrate his feast day on October 17, and the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches, who celebrate his feast day on December 20. Ignatius based his authority on living his life in imitation of Christ.