Ignatius of Antioch is an incredible example of the earliest of Christian faiths. Historical writings identify him as a direct disciple of the Apostle John and a close acquaintance of Peter. His devotion to God is worthy to be noted and the modern-day Christian can gain an immense amount of encouragement and inspiration from his life. When reading through accounts like this, we witness a faith that is simply bigger than life itself. Tradition records his death to be in October of 107AD. He became a martyr when he faced the wild beasts in the arena under the reign of Emperor Trajan.

Below, is a small excerpt from his writing to the early church:

“Even now as a prisoner, I am learning to forgo my own wishes. All the way from Syria to Rome I am fighting with wild beasts, by land and sea, night and day, chained as I am to ten leopards (I mean to a detachment of soldiers), who only get worse the better you treat them. But by their injustices I am becoming a better disciple, though not for that reason am I acquitted. What a thrill I shall have from the wild beasts that re ready for me! I hope they will make short work for me.

I shall coax them on to eat me up at once and not to hold off, as sometimes happens, through fear. And if they are reluctant, I shall force them to it. Forgive me — I know what is good for me. Now is the moment I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing seen or unseen begrudge me making my way to Jesus Christ. Come fire, cross, battling with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil — only let me get to Jesus Christ! Not the wide bounds of earth nor the kingdoms this world will avail me anything. I would rather die and get to Jesus Christ, than reign over the ends of the earth. That is whom I am looking for — the One who died for us. That is whom I want — the One who rose for us. I am going through the pangs of being born. Sympathize with me, my brothers! Do not stand in the way of my coming to life — do not wish death on me. Do not give back to the world one who wants to be God’s; do not trick him with material things. Let me get into the clear light and manhood will be mine. Let me imitate the Passion of my God. If anyone has Him in him, let him appreciate what I am longing for, and sympathize with me, realizing what I going through.”

Ignatius of Antioch, Letters, in Early Church Fathers, ed. And trans. Cyril C. Richardson: New York: Macmillan, 1970. 104-105

Tyler King