Ignatius of Antioch, Saint (ĭgnā`shəs, ăn`tēŏk), d. c.107, bishop of Antioch and Christian martyr, called Theophorus [Gr.,= God-bearer]. He was probably a convert and a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. On his way to Rome to be martyred by the wild beasts of the amphitheater, he wrote the important letters to the churches in Rome and in Asia Minor, and to St. Polycarp Polycarp, Saint (pŏl`ĭkärp), c.A.D. 70–A.D. 156?, Greek bishop of Smyrna, Father of the Church. He was a disciple of St.
..... Click the link for more information. . The seven epistles are an invaluable testimony to the beliefs and internal organization of the early Christians. St. Ignatius is the first writer to stress the virgin birth. He firmly denounced Docetism Docetism (dōsēt`ĭzəm) [Gr.,=to appear], early heretical trend in Christian thought.
..... Click the link for more information. and viewed the mystery of the Trinity as an assumed doctrine of faith. The only guarantee against heresy, he taught, is the church united under a bishop. St. Ignatius is the first in Christian literature to use the word Catholic. Feast: Feb. 1.

Bibliography

See J. A. Kleist, tr., The Epistles of St. Clement of Rome and St. Ignatius of Antioch (1946), V. Corwin, Saint Ignatius and Christianity in Antioch (1960).

Ignatius of Antioch, Saint

(died c. 110, Rome; Western feast day October 17; Eastern feast day December 20) Early Christian martyr. Probably of Syrian origin, he may have been a pagan who persecuted Christians before his conversion. He succeeded St. Peter the Apostle as bishop of Antioch. During the reign of Trajan, Roman authorities arrested Ignatius and sent him to Rome, where he was tried and executed. He wrote a series of famous letters on the journey to Rome, attempting to encourage his fellow Christians during their persecution. The letters condemn two sets of heretics: the Judaizers, who insisted that Christians continue to follow Jewish law, and the Docetists, who maintained that Jesus only appeared to suffer and die on the cross.