Apostolic Fathers
The Seven Letters of Ignatius
Ignatius of Antioch · c. 107 – 110
Historical Context
Written while Ignatius travelled under guard from Antioch to martyrdom in Rome, addressed to six local churches and to Polycarp of Smyrna.
Summary
Ignatius urges unity around the bishop, presbyters, and deacons, defends the reality of Christ's flesh against early docetism, and embraces his coming martyrdom as union with Christ. His letters give the earliest clear evidence of the threefold ministry and use the word 'Catholic Church.'
Major Themes
- Monepiscopacy
- Eucharistic realism
- Anti-docetism
- Martyrdom
- Unity of the Church
Important Quotations
“Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”— Smyrnaeans 8
“I am the wheat of God, and I am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.”— Romans 4
Related Timeline Events
Related Church Fathers
Related Doctrines
Primary Sources
Further Reading
- Allen Brent, Ignatius of Antioch: A Martyr Bishop and the Origin of Episcopacy
- William Schoedel, Ignatius of Antioch (Hermeneia)