Saint ignatius of antioch biography samples for kids

Ignatius of Antioch ca 50—ca CE was an early Christian martyr and an important figure in the early Christian church.

When was st ignatius of antioch born

He was an "apostolic father," which means he had direct contact with Christ's apostles and the second or third Christian bishop at Antioch in Syria. Ignatius is best known for a series of letters he wrote during the journey he took from Antioch to Rome, at the end of which he was executed in the Roman arena. Not much is known about his early life, but Ignatius was likely born between 30 and 50 CE, probably someplace in Asia Minor.

His name at birth was Ignatius, but he was given the name "Theophorus" "God-Bearer" at baptism. Christ's apostle Peter founded the church at Antioch and perhaps named Ignatius to the See; Peter was the first bishop himself and, according to the Christian historian Eusebius — CE , Peter named the second one, Evodius. Ignatius likely held the bishopric beginning after Evodius' death in 66 CE until his own death about forty years later.

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In gratitude to his gods for the success, Trajan stepped up a massive campaign against the Christian community in Asia Minor, in particular, those Christians who refused to sacrifice to the gods. While he was in Antioch, Trajan interviewed Bishop Ignatius who confessed his steadfast belief, and so Trajan condemned him to death. Because Ignatius was an important figure in the region, Trajan assigned 10 soldiers to chain him up and escort him overland and by sea to Rome.

Once in Rome, Ignatius would be torn apart by wild beasts, as part of a day long festival. Ignatius's reaction was to cry with joy: "I thank you, O Lord, that You have vouchsafed to honor me with perfect love towards You, and have made me to be bound with iron chains, like Your Apostle Paul. The details of Ignatius's journey from Antioch to Rome are found in "Martyrium Ignatii" "The Martyrdom of Ignatius" , a document which scholars believe has some problems.

The earliest existing copy dates to the 10th century, and there is some evidence that it was "interpolated," or heavily embellished. After being arrested in Antioch, Ignatius and his team of guards Ignatius called them "leopards" in his letters traveled to Seleucia, where they boarded a ship and then disembarked either at Cilicia or Pamphylia.