St. Ignatius of Antioch

• He was the Apostle John’s disciple and the second bishop of Antioch. He was sentenced during Trajan’s reign (98-117) to be devoured by wild beasts and was ordered from Syria to Rome to suffer his martyrdom. He begged the members of the Church of Rome to take no steps whatever which might defraud him of his most ardent desire – to die for Christ; for death to him was but the beginning of true life. He said: “How glorious to be a setting sun—away from the world, onto God. May I rise in his presence." (Rom. 2:2) "I fear that your love will cause me damage for I shall not have such another occasion to enter into the possession of God. I am the wheat of God, and I must be ground by teeth of wild beasts, that I may become the pure bread of Christ.” (Rom. 1,2; 2,1; 4,1).

His Theology

• The idea of divine “economy” in the universe is the core of Ignatius’ theology. God wishes to deliver the world and humanity from the despotism of the devil. He prepared mankind for salvation in Judaism through the instrumentality of the prophets; their expectation found its fulfillment in Christ. His Christology
• “There is only one physician both carnal and spiritual, born and unborn, God became man, true life in death, spring both from Mary and from God, first subject to suffering, and then incapable of it - Jesus Christ our Lord (Eph. 7:2). Christ is timeless and invisible but for our sake became visible, the impassible, became subject to suffering and for our sake endured everything (Pol. 3,2).
• He attacked the heresy of Docetism.
• His Christology was founded by St. Paul, but influenced and enriched by the theology of St. John.
• The Church is called “the place of sacrifice” (Eph. 5,2; Trall. 7,2:Phil 4), i.e. Eucharist. He calls the Eucharist, “the medicine of immortality, the antidote against death, the everlasting life in Jesus Christ” (Eph. 20,2). His Mysticism
• Also influenced by St. Paul’s idea of union with Christ joined to St. John’s idea of life in Christ and there emerges the ideal favored by Ignatius – the “imitation” of Christ.
• Martyrdom as the perfect imitation of Christ; the true disciple of Christ is he who is ready to sacrifice his life for Him.
• Inhabitation of Christ and being in Christ.

• He wrote that dogma and Christian doctrines are not a philosophy, but a practical life which believers examine in their church life, in their own private rooms, and in their relationship with others.
• He did not quote from the Old Testament.
• He wrote in openness of heart and firmness to be cautious of the heretics, but in humility.
• His letters had a very strong eschatological attitude.
• He is the first to use the term “Catholic [universal] Church,” to mean the faithful collectively.

• From his letters a vivid picture of the hierarchical dignity and prestige accorded a bishop in the midst of his flock is obtained.
• The bishop is above all the responsible teacher of the faithful, and to be in communion with him is to be safeguarded against error and heresy (Trall. 6: Phil 3).
• The bishop is the high priest of the liturgy and dispenses the mysteries of God.
• St. Ignatius’ interpretation of matrimony and virginity shows the stamp of St. Paul's influence.
• His letters are included in the Apostolic Fathers.
• In his Letter to the Ephesians St. Ignatius wrote: Therefore, be eager for more frequent gatherings for thanksgiving [Eucharist] to God and for His glory. For when you meet frequently the forces of Satan are annulled and his destructive power is cancelled in the concord of your faith. There is nothing better than peace in which all hostility is abolished, whether it comes from the powers of heaven of the powers of earth.
• See also p. 12.