Early Church Saints: St Ignatius
St. Ignatius of Antioch was born in the mid-30s AD and died when he was in his 70s. He was part of the second generation of Christians after the death and resurrection of Christ. He helped bridge the times of the Acts of the Apostles with the early Church Age.
He was born and grew up in Syria. There are stories which suggest he was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, or he was even amongst the children blessed by Jesus in the Gospel.
He became the third bishop of Antioch (modern-day Turkey). This was a major city in the Roman Empire. He succeeded St. Evodius in around 69 AD and he himself was succeeded by Bishop Heron.
Antioch was an important city in the cradle of early Christianity. This is where Christians were first called this name.
Acts 11 v 26
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Ignatius led the Antiochian church during a time when Roman authorities were significantly cracking down on the faith.
Around 107 AD, under Emperor Trajan’s persecution, Ignatius was arrested. The emperor had ordered Christians to make a sacrifice to him or face death. Ignatius refused. He was subsequently sentenced to die. While chained, he was marched overland from Antioch through Asia Minor and on to Rome. He famously called the guards which accompanied him, my “ten leopards.”
Along the way, he wrote six letters to churches (Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, Smyrna) and one to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna.
The letters offered advice and calls Christians to come to Christ. There is a sense of urgency within the text, with his martyrdom openly discussed. For example, when writing to the Roman Christians, he asks them to allow his execution and not to petition for his freedom:
“Let me be food for the wild beasts… I am God’s wheat, ground by the teeth of beasts to become pure bread for Christ.”
These letters provide a snapshot into how Christianity was understood within the first decades after the start of the Church at Pentecost.
The letters share similar themes.
Ignatius calls for church unity under a hierarchical structure of bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons. For him, he saw the bishop as the focal point of unity and a safeguard against division.
To the Magnesians
“Be united with the bishop… as the strings to a lyre.”
I love this imagery. Ignatius is asking Christians to work together in unity to make music. This wasn’t about instilling power within the office of the bishop, but about keeping the community cohesive amongst persecutions and heretical teachings.
He strongly opposed Docetism. A heresy which claimed Jesus’ body was an illusion.
To the Smyrnaeans
“He was really crucified… not, as some unbelievers say, in appearance only.”
To the Trallians
“Close your ears… to those who say Jesus Christ was not in the flesh.”
The physical reality of Christ’s life, death, resurrection is key to Christianity. Without this, it is no longer orthodox.
Ignatius was fully prepared for martyrdom. In his letter to the Romans, he urged them to not interfere as he believed dying in this way, mirrored the death of Christ.
In his letter to Polycarp, he offers leadership advice. Polycarp was an early Christian bishop of Smyrna (in modern-day Turkey) and was a significant figure in the early Church. He was connected to the Apostle John, who was his mentor.
Likewise, Polycarp was martyred. When challenged to worship the Roman emperor he responded with:
“Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
He was burned at the stake.
Ignatius’s advice to Polycarp was to “be wise as a serpent, innocent as a dove”. Which is reminiscent of the words of Christ in the Gospels.
Here are other quotes from this letter.
Be sober as an athlete of God: the prize set before you is immortality and eternal life
Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten
Let your baptism endure as your sword; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as your armour.
This is my favourite letter out of the seven. It is truly inspiring and I would encourage any Christian who is struggling in their faith to read it.
When St Ignatius reached Rome, he was soon martyred in Colosseum, killed by wild beasts. Rather than be forgotten, his bones were later collected by Christians and returned to Antioch.
The lives of the saints are not just historical tales, but are there to inspire us to keep going, to push on and to never give up.
Really great stuff here. St. Ignatius was a boss!
All variations of today's church need to learn from the first 300 years of communities centered on Christ. For example, "Christian" was a derogatory word assigned by Romans to the "scum" who followed a crucified man. It stuck and was later adopted by those who follow the Jewish Messiah, formal name Yeshua (various spellings). "Say the name of Jesus" is somewhat antithetical or perhaps heretical considering the Christ never heard nor spoke that name during his lifetime on earth. I suspect that Jesus, like his Father, doesn't care what he is called. He is the 'I am' and a truly nameless entity. However, humanity needs to bridge the gap between belief and practice. One way is to contemplate which inaccuracies matter and which do not infringe on establishing a relationship with God. I appreciate your posts.