St. Ignatius of Antioch, said the Illuminator (approximately 35 AD - Rome about 107), was a bishop of Asia Minor beginning of the second century. It is revered as a saint by the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, and is counted among the Fathers of the Church and the Apostolic Father. It was the second successor of St. Peter as bishop of Antioch in Syria (after Peter had gone to Rome), that is the third largest city of the ancient world Mediterranean.
He grew up in pagan environment; converted into adulthood. In 69, according to tradition, was appointed to the episcopal see of Antioch. Condemned to be devoured by lions during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117), was imprisoned and driven from Antioch to Rome under the escort of a platoon of soldiers to be devoured by wild beasts.
During the journey from Antioch to Rome he wrote seven letters to the churches that its path or close to it. They remained there and are a testimony of faith and martyrdom. with the mentality of today, we might think that it is folly to wish for death to join Christ.
"I am God's wheat: I will be ground by the teeth of wild beasts".
From the "Letter to the Romans," St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
[I write to all the churches, and all tidings that willingly die for God, if you do not it will prevent me. Charge you, not Prove benevolence inappropriate. Permit me to be food of the beasts, through which I have given to reach God. I am God's wheat and I shall be ground by the teeth of wild beasts to become the pure bread of Christ. Supplicate Christ for me, because for the work of these beasts I become a victim for the Lord. To me nothing will benefit the enjoyments of the world nor the kingdoms of this earth. And 'better for me to die for Jesus Christ who extend my empire to the ends of the earth. I look for the one who died for us, I want one who is resurrected for us. And 'near the time of my birth.
Have mercy on me, brothers. Not from living; do not wish that I die. Do not abandon the world and the seductions of matter who wants to be God. Let me arrive at the pure light; arrived there, I will be truly a man. Let me imitate the passion of my God. If anyone has in it, understands what I want and pity me, thinking about the anxiety that overwhelms me. The prince of this world wants to take me away and stifle my aspiration towards God. None of you will give him his hand; rather been on my side, that is from God. Do not be of those who profess Jesus Christ and still love the world. Have no place in you feeling less good. Even if you supplicate, when it will be among you, do not listen to me: rather believe in what I am writing now in full possession of my life. I write that I want to die.
My every earthly desire is crucified and there is more in me no aspiration for the material realities, but living water murmurs within me and tells me: "Come to the Father." I do not delight more than a corruptible food, nor the pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, of the seed of David; I want to drink his blood that is love incorruptible. I never want to live the life of this world. And my wish will be fulfilled, if ye will. You have to want this, I pray you, to find you too benevolence. I ask this in a few words: believe me. Jesus Christ will make you understand that I tell the truth: he is the true mouth through which the Father has spoken the truth. Ask for me that I can reach it. I write not after the flesh, but according to the mind of God. If I'd undergo martyrdom, this will mean that I have loved you. If I will be set free, it will be a sign that I have hated.]
before St. Ignatius St. Paul also had to choose, live to serve the church? or die and be with Christ?
Philippians 1. 20 seconds my eager expectation and hope that in nothing I will remain confused; full confidence in the fact that, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether I live or I die.
21 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if you live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, I do not know which I shall choose. 23 I am hard pressed between these two things: one is the desire to be dissolved by the body to be with Christ, for that is far better;
the apostolic tradition is like a relay race, a Holy passes the task of witnessing to another Saint.
St. Ignatius of Antioch, said the Illuminator (approximately 35 AD - Rome about 107), was a bishop of Asia Minor beginning of the second century. It is revered as a saint by the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, and is counted among the Fathers of the Church and the Apostolic Father. It was the second successor of St. Peter as bishop of Antioch in Syria (after Peter had gone to Rome), that is the third largest city of the ancient world Mediterranean.
He grew up in pagan environment; converted into adulthood. In 69, according to tradition, was appointed to the episcopal see of Antioch. Condemned to be devoured by lions during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117), was imprisoned and driven from Antioch to Rome under the escort of a platoon of soldiers to be devoured by wild beasts.
During the journey from Antioch to Rome he wrote seven letters to the churches that its path or close to it. They remained there and are a testimony of faith and martyrdom. with the mentality of today, we might think that it is folly to wish for death to join Christ.
"I am God's wheat: I will be ground by the teeth of wild beasts".
From the "Letter to the Romans," St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
[I write to all the churches, and all tidings that willingly die for God, if you do not it will prevent me. Charge you, not Prove benevolence inappropriate. Permit me to be food of the beasts, through which I have given to reach God. I am God's wheat and I shall be ground by the teeth of wild beasts to become the pure bread of Christ. Supplicate Christ for me, because for the work of these beasts I become a victim for the Lord. To me nothing will benefit the enjoyments of the world nor the kingdoms of this earth. And 'better for me to die for Jesus Christ who extend my empire to the ends of the earth. I look for the one who died for us, I want one who is resurrected for us. And 'near the time of my birth.
Have mercy on me, brothers. Not from living; do not wish that I die. Do not abandon the world and the seductions of matter who wants to be God. Let me arrive at the pure light; arrived there, I will be truly a man. Let me imitate the passion of my God. If anyone has in it, understands what I want and pity me, thinking about the anxiety that overwhelms me. The prince of this world wants to take me away and stifle my aspiration towards God. None of you will give him his hand; rather been on my side, that is from God. Do not be of those who profess Jesus Christ and still love the world. Have no place in you feeling less good. Even if you supplicate, when it will be among you, do not listen to me: rather believe in what I am writing now in full possession of my life. I write that I want to die.
My every earthly desire is crucified and there is more in me no aspiration for the material realities, but living water murmurs within me and tells me: "Come to the Father." I do not delight more than a corruptible food, nor the pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, of the seed of David; I want to drink his blood that is love incorruptible. I never want to live the life of this world. And my wish will be fulfilled, if ye will. You have to want this, I pray you, to find you too benevolence. I ask this in a few words: believe me. Jesus Christ will make you understand that I tell the truth: he is the true mouth through which the Father has spoken the truth. Ask for me that I can reach it. I write not after the flesh, but according to the mind of God. If I'd undergo martyrdom, this will mean that I have loved you. If I will be set free, it will be a sign that I have hated.]
before St. Ignatius St. Paul also had to choose, live to serve the church? or die and be with Christ?
Philippians 1. 20 seconds my eager expectation and hope that in nothing I will remain confused; full confidence in the fact that, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether I live or I die.
21 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if you live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, I do not know which I shall choose. 23 I am hard pressed between these two things: one is the desire to be dissolved by the body to be with Christ, for that is far better;
the apostolic tradition is like a relay race, a Holy passes the task of witnessing to another Saint.