sourceThe second Bishop of Antioch, Syria, St. Ignatius was a student of the beloved Disciple John. St. Ignatius was consecrated Bishop around the year 69 by the Apostle Peter, the first Pope. A holy man who was deeply loved by the Christian faithful, he always made it his special care to defend right teaching and right practice among the early Christians.
In the year 107, during the reign of the brutal Emperor Trajan, St. Ignatius was sentenced to death because he refused to renounce the Christian faith. He was taken under guard to Rome where he was to be brutally devoured by wild beasts in a public spectacle. During St. Ignatius’ journey, his travels took him through Asia Minor and Greece. He made good use of the time by writing seven letters of encouragement, instruction, and inspiration to the Christians in those communities. We still have these letters as a great treasure of the Church today.
A small addition to this commentary:
St Ignatius begged those who could deliver him from the martyrdom of being thrown to the lions to be devoured- not to do anything. He was ready to die for his faith and asked all not to interfere.
