St. Ignatius of Antioch

 

    One of the most beloved saints of the Church is St. Ignatius of Antioch, who lived around the first to second century AD. He is called Theophorus meaning God-Bearer and was one of the children Jesus took into his arms and blessed when the apostles refused the children to come to Him.  Not much is really known about Ignatius’ early life but we know he converted to Christianity at a very early age. We also know through various writings that St. Ignatius was the disciple of St. John the Apostle. St. Ignatius like many of the Christians of his era was martyred for the faith.  While scholars may debate the legitimacy of why he was sent to Rome to be executed, we as members of the Church have no reason to speculate. We understand that whatever the cause was or reason, that it was for the ultimate glory of God as is all the lives of God’s saints. While on his way to be executed in Rome, under the Roman emperor Trajan, Ignatius was able to write a series of seven epistles which the Church has carefully preserved to be read. While not included in the Holy Scriptures, St. Ignatius’ writings have been beloved by Christians since they began to be widely circulated and along with St. Clement of Rome and St. Polycarp is among one of the most widely read Saints of the early church.  St. Ignatius stressed the importance of the Eucharist, the loyalty of the church to a single bishop in a city with assistance by priests and deacons, and that Christ was divine, refuting those who deny the divinity of Christ. He said in his Epistle to the Magnesians, “Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and is at last made manifest.”  For those who reject that the church has had hierarchy and the church should do away with bishops and priests in this modern age, St. Ignatius’ words are most piercing. St. Ignatius also believed in the universal church. That it could not be divided or split, and refutes the branch theory promulgated today with this statement to the Smyrnaeans, “Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. On the other hand, whatever has his approval is pleasing to God. Thus, whatever is done will be safe and valid.” Without the Bishop as the spiritual father of the diocese and flock, there is no church. St. Ignatius knew this and he preached it.  He also warned us about those who hold heterodox views.  St. Ignatius was fully committed to teaching the truth, and did not have time for heretics and heterodox people. He again says to the Smyrnaeans, “Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. ...They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes.”  He understood that heterodox regardless of what they were able to retain as orthodox were opposed to the mind of God. That though they appear genuine and may hold fast to Christ, that in reality they did not know Him. It is no different than when Christ says, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:22-23) St. Ignatius calls us to hold orthodox values and teachings above those of man.

    St. Ignatius’ life is a life led of grace and piety. It is a life that is to be respected and called to love. In a world where easiness and luxury are abundant and the world would have us be lukewarm, holdfast to your faith. Do not be tempted by the wiles of the devil, or the call to be indifferent. Know that Christ will hold you firmly and that you must hold him firmly to be called into eternal rest with Him at the Last Judgement.

 

Amen.