St Ignatius of Antioch

St Ignatius was a disciple of St John the Evangelist – he had converted to Christianity and became friends with most of the apostles. St Peter then nominated him as the third bishop of Antioch, where he served for 40 years. Very often he was asked to renounce his faith, but he remained strong.

He was tied with chains and was sent to Rome to be thrown in the amphitheater to be eaten by wild animals. Great festivities were being held when he arrived in Rome and as soon as he was thrown into the Colosseo, two lions attacked him and was killed instantly. Some pieces from his body were saved and were kept as relics, buried first in Antioch, then taken to Rome. He is now revered in St Clement’s church in Rome.

On his way to Rome, he had visited various communities and wrote 7 letters to them before he died, among them the Smyrnians, Filadelfians, Romans, Trajans and to Polycarp. He used for the first time the expression ‘Catholic’ which means universal. When Trajan ordered his martyrdom, he did not perceive that more Catholics will join the church than leave. His writings are well respected since he wrote from what he heard first-hand from the apostles, who knew Jesus up close and personal. He is one those saints who is revered by Catholics, Protestants as well as Orthodox Christians.