Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (born c. 35 AD; died c. 107 AD in Rome, Italy) was the third Bishop of Antioch and one of the most important Apostolic Fathers — early Christian writers who knew the Apostles personally. Arrested in Antioch and transported to Rome to be thrown to the lions under Emperor Trajan, he wrote seven letters during the journey that are among the most precious documents of the early Church. He is the first writer to use the term "Catholic Church" (katholikē ekklēsia) in surviving literature, and his letters contain the earliest explicit testimony to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist outside the New Testament. He called himself Theophorus — "God-bearer." His feast day is October 17.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Ignatius of Antioch
| Saint Ignatius of Antioch | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 17 |
| Profession | Bishop; martyr; theologian; Apostolic Father; writer |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; third Bishop of Antioch; Apostolic Father; one of the earliest post-Apostolic witnesses to Catholic doctrine |
| Patronage | Antioch; the Church in Syria; the universal Church (''Catholic Church''); those with throat diseases (from prayers invoking his protection from beasts); martyrs |
| Attributes | Chains (his imprisonment); lions or wild beasts (his martyrdom); bishop's vestments; wheat (''I am the wheat of God''); the letters (his seven Epistles) |
| Birthplace | Unknown; possibly Syria |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy (Colosseum or nearby arena) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; thrown to the lions in the Roman arena c. 107 AD under Emperor Trajan; he actively desired this death as union with Christ |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of San Clemente, Rome, Italy — some of his relics are enshrined here; one of the oldest churches in Rome (4th-century basilica beneath a 12th-century church); also venerated at the Cathedral of Antioch (historical) |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Calendar, October 17) |
| Historic Class | Double (February 1; now October 17) |
Biography
Ignatius (also called Theophorus — "God-bearer," probably a title he gave himself) was the third Bishop of Antioch, succeeding Evodius who had succeeded Saint Peter. According to Origen, John Chrysostom, and other early sources, he was a disciple of the Apostles themselves — most likely of Peter and/or John.
He led the church at Antioch for approximately forty years. Around 107 AD, under Emperor Trajan, he was arrested, condemned to death for his faith, and transported to Rome under military escort to be thrown to the lions in the arena. The journey — probably by ship and land through Asia Minor and possibly Greece — was an opportunity that Ignatius seized with extraordinary spiritual energy: he wrote seven letters that have survived.
- The Seven Letters:** Four were written from Smyrna (to the churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, and Rome); three from Troas (to the churches at Philadelphia and Smyrna, and personally to Saint Polycarp). They are among the most important documents of the early Church:
- They are the earliest surviving use of the phrase Catholic Church (katholikē ekklēsia) - They contain the clearest early testimony to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist outside the New Testament: the Docetists (who denied Christ's flesh) are warned that they abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ - They are the earliest clear witnesses to the monarchical episcopate — one bishop per city as the visible head of the local church, with priests and deacons subordinate to him - His letter to the Romans is one of the most passionate documents in Christian literature: he begs the Roman Christians not to intervene to prevent his martyrdom
He was thrown to the lions in Rome c. 107 AD. The Roman Christians collected his remains and returned them to Antioch.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Unknown; possibly Syria
Death location: Rome, Italy (Colosseum or nearby arena)
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Parishes
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
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| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| St. Ignatius Martyr (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Hicksville, NY | New York | United States | https://www.stignatiusmartyr.org/ |
| St. Ignatius Martyr (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Long Beach, NY | New York | United States | http://www.beachcatholic.com |
Media
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Basilica of San Clemente, Rome, Italy — some relics enshrined here; ancient multi-layered basilica.
- Cathedral of Antioch (historical) — his relics were returned here after his martyrdom.
Feast day
October 17
Veneration
Saint Ignatius of Antioch is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on October 17 as a Memorial. He is one of the Apostolic Fathers and one of the most important early witnesses to Catholic doctrine on the Eucharist, the episcopate, and the universal Church.
Prayers
Authored
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