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'''Ignatius of Antioch''' (probably died AD [[107]]) was the third [[bishop]] of Antioch, after the [[Apostle Peter]] and [[Euodius of Antioch|Euodius]], whom Ignatius succeeded around AD 68. Ignatius, who also called himself '''Theophorus''' ("God-bearer"), was most likely a disciple of both [[Apostle|Apostles]] [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] and [[Apostle John|John]]. Several of his letters have survived to this day; he is one of the [[Apostolic Fathers]] (the earliest group of the [[Church Fathers]]), and a [[saint]] in the [[Orthodox Church]] (feastday, [[December 20]]).
He was arrested by the Roman authorities and transported to Rome to die in the arena. They hoped to make an example of him and thus discourage [[Christianity]] from spreading. Instead, he met with and encouraged Christians all along his route, and wrote letters to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Philadelphians, Smyrneans, and Romans, as well as a letter to [[Polycarp of Smyrna|Polycarp]], who was [[bishop]] of Smyrna and a disciple of [[Apostle John|John the Evangelist]].
==External links==
* [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/ignatius.html Early Christian writings] On-line texts of Ignatius' letters
* [http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.11.en.the_ecclesiology_of_st._ignatius_of_antioch.01.htm The Ecclesiology of St. Ignatius of Antioch] by Fr. [[John S. Romanides]]
[[Category:Apostolic Fathers]]
[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Saints]]