Ignatius's Impact On Early Religion And The Church

One of the earliest and most significant writers during the early years of Christianity was a bishop from ancient Syria who, while in route to his execution at the Roman Coliseum, wrote seven letters that would greatly influence early Christianity. Titled the “God-Bearer” Ignatius of Antioch was the third bishop of Antioch and is believed to have been chosen by Saint Peter himself to follow the succession of bishops. Following St. Peter and St. Evodius, Ignatius would become an important bishop to Antioch but would feel the full fury of the Roman Empire's persecution of Christians, welcoming his martyrdom in the name of his faith. Traveling from his home in Syria to the capital city of Rome, Ignatius would write seven letters at his various stops. These letters, directed at
Born in ancient Syria around 50 AD, Ignatius converted to Christianity at an early age. It is believed by some Church historians that Ignatius is the child Jesus embraced in Mark 9:35. Ignatius was a prominent member of the early Church and close to St. Peter, eventually, according to Theodoret of Cyrrhus (The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization), being chosen by Peter to be in the succession of bishops for Antioch followig St. Evodius.. It is also believed that Ignatius witnessed the teachings of John the Apostle along with his friend and fellow bishop Polycarp. After the death of St. Evodius, Ignatius succeeded him to become the new bishop and would hold the office for around 40 years before his martyrdom. During his time as bishop the Roman emperor Domitian continued the heavy persecution of Christians in the empire, bringing his furor to Syria. Leading by example, Ignatius kept his flock strong in the face of persecution and held to his faith, continuing to remain as the bishop of Antioch. After Domitian’s death in 96 AD there was a period of peace in the empire during emperor Nerva’s