Apostolic Fathers · c. 35 – c. 107/110
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Antioch, Syria
Biography
Ignatius was the third Bishop of Antioch, reputedly a disciple of the Apostle John. Condemned to death for his faith, he was taken under guard to Rome to be martyred by wild beasts. Along the way, he wrote seven letters to various churches, urging unity around the bishop and warning against docetism and schism. These letters are among the most vivid witnesses to Church order in the immediate post-apostolic age.
Historical background
Written c. AD 107 during his forced journey to martyrdom under Emperor Trajan, Ignatius's letters give the earliest clear use of the term 'Catholic Church' and the earliest extra-biblical witness to a strong eucharistic realism and to monarchical bishops governing local churches.
Major writings
Letter to the Smyrnaeans
Coins the phrase 'Catholic Church' and affirms the real flesh of Christ in the Eucharist.
Letter to the Romans
Addresses the Roman church in unusually deferential terms, begging them not to intervene to stop his martyrdom.
Letter to the Ephesians
Urges unity with the bishop as image of unity with Christ.
Important teachings
Ignatius teaches that the Eucharist is truly the flesh of Jesus Christ, that valid sacraments require the bishop or his delegate, and that unity with the bishop constitutes unity with the Church. He is the first writer to use the term 'Catholic Church' for the universal body united under its bishops.
Quotations
“Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ.”
“The church which presides in the place of the region of the Romans... presiding in love.”