Ignatius of Antioch

Who they were

Ignatius, from a pagan family, came to the faith late in life through the preaching of St John the Evangelist. Around 69 he became bishop of Antioch, succeeding St Evodius and, before him, the apostle Peter, who had founded that Church. His people called him a man 'of fire', as his name suggests.

In Trajan's persecution he refused to deny Christ and was condemned to be taken in chains to Rome and thrown to the beasts in the arena at the celebrations for the emperor's victory in Dacia. On the long journey, often mistreated by his guards, he wrote seven letters to the Churches of Asia and Rome and to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. He was martyred in Rome in 107.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Ignatius has been honoured as a martyr since his death.

Why that counted as sanctity

Ignatius went to his death as to a meeting with Christ, and on the way wrote letters of burning love for Him and for the Church, which he was the first to call 'catholic', begging the faithful above all to keep the Church united.

Connected on this site

• Onesimus Saint
  “He may also be the same Onesimus mentioned by Ignatius of Antioch (died c.” — Wikipedia
• Polycarp Saint
  “Polycarp is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch.” — Wikipedia
• Rufus Saint
  “Ignatius of Antioch and put to death there for firmly confessing Christ in the persecution under Trajan.” — this site's research