Also called Theophorus, Ignatius was born in Syria, around the year 50; he died at Rome between 98 and 117. It is thought thar St.Ignatius was one of the earliest Christian scribes of the Apostle John. It is believed that he was made the Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter himself.
When the persecution of Emperor Domitian broke in its full fury against the Christians of Syria, they found in their leader Ignatius, a strong watchful man who encouraged and inspired his flock against the terrors of the persecution. The short lived restoration of peace gave Ignatius some hope, however, it was not for himself that he was thankful but for his people. He himself hoped for the crown of martyrdom. His desire was not long in coming.
A couple of years after the death of Domitian, Trajan, became the Roman Emperor. Flush with victory over various military conquests, he decided to perfect the universality of his dominion by decreeing, therefore, that the Christians should unite with their pagan neighbors in the worship of the gods. A general persecution was threatened, and death was named as the penalty for all who refused to offer the prescribed sacrifice. Instantly alert to the danger that threatened, Ignatius availed himself of all the means within his reach to thwart the purpose of the emperor. The success of his zealous efforts did not long remain hidden from the Church's persecutors. He was soon arrested and led before Trajan, who was then sojourning in Antioch. Accused by the emperor himself of violating the imperial edict, and of inciting others to like transgressions, Ignatius valiantly bore witness to the faith of Christ.
With great zeal and inspired eloquence, and even great courage Ignatius spoke up ,but to no avail, Trajan was having none of it. In his hard heartedness the emperor ordered him to be put in chains and taken to Rome, there to become the food of wild beasts and a spectacle for the people.
On his way to Rome Ignatius stopped of at Smyrna where his friend St Polycarp was Bishop. For some reason the stay there was quite a protracted one and he wrote several letters to the different churches encouraging them to stay strong and support their various Bishops and to make sure they didn't get tangled up in any heresies. One of the letters he wrote was to the people of Rome imploring them not to try and stop his martyrdom.
Shortly after his arrival in Rome he won his long coveted crown of martyrdom in the Flavian amphitheater.
The character of St. Ignatius, as deduced from his own and the many writings of his contemporaries, is that of a true athlete of Christ. The triple honor of apostle, bishop, and martyr was well merited by this energetic soldier of the Faith. An enthusiastic devotion to duty, a passionate love of sacrifice, and an utter fearlessness in the defense of Christian truth, were his chief characteristics. Zeal for the spiritual well-being of those under his charge breathes from every line of his writings. Ever vigilant lest they be infected by the rampant heresies of those early days; praying for them, that their faith and courage may not be wanting in the hour of persecution; constantly exhorting them to unfailing obedience to their bishops; teaching them all Catholic truth; eagerly sighing for the crown of martyrdom, that his own blood may bring many graces to the souls of his flock, he proves himself in every sense a true, pastor of souls, the good shepherd that lays down his life for his sheep.
To help celebrate this feast as a family maybe we could light a candle and pray for the people of Syria,who, once again are suffering for their faith.
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