St. Ignatius of Antioch, Saint of the day for October 17

Saint of the day for October 17th
(a.c. 107)

History of St. Ignatius of Antioch

Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, the emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced Christians to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius did not deny Christ and was thus condemned to be put to death in Rome.

Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge Christians there to remain faithful to God and obey their superiors. It warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.

The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The last letter pleads with the Christians of Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. “The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the grain of the Lord; may I be ground from the teeth of beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ “.

Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.

Reflection

Ignatius's great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny his Lord Jesus Christ. He did not draw attention to his own suffering, but to the love of God which strengthened him. He knew the price of commitment and he would not deny Christ, not even to save his own life.