Today the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church commemorates one the early Church Fathers, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Theophorus, that is, "The God-bearer." St. Ignatius was known as an Apostolic Father because he was in direct contact with one of the Apostle's of Christ, St. John the Divine (Theologian). St. Ignatius was the third Patriarch of Antioch, one of the 5 Original Sees of the Christendom. The First Patriarch of Antioch was St. Peter the Apostle, then Evodius, and then St. Ignatius. Our Holy Father St. Ignatius was appointed to the See by St. Peter himself.
It is said that St. Ignatius was held by Jesus Christ when Jesus gave his sermon saying that unless we become like little children we shall never know God (Gospel according to St. Matthew 18:3).
Because of St. Ignatius zeal and love for God and Christ's Church the emperor of Rome, Trajan, decided to have St. Ignatius become a Holy Martyr for Christ. It is from his travel from Antioch to Rome that St. Ignatius wrote his famous 7 Epistles:
- To the Ephesians
- To the Magnesians
- Letter to the Trallians
- To the Romans
- To the Philadelphians
- To the Smyrnaeans
- To Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna
His Epistles are still published today and are considered an important look at the early Church. they can be read here: Epistles of St. Ignatius
Apolytikion:
As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Ignatius. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved. Kontakion:
The divine and brilliant day of thine illustrious contests doth proclaim to all mankind Him that was born of a Virgin; for it was for Him that thou didst thirst to delight in, and didst haste to be devoured by beasts in thy longing. Hence, O glorious Ignatius, the name God-bearer was rightly given to thee.
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