Ignatius of Antioch also known as Ignatius Theophorus was an early Christian writer and Patriarch of Antioch. He is considered to be one of the three most important, together with Clement of Rome and Polycarp. His letters serve as an example of early Christian theology. Important topics they address include ecclesiology, the sacraments, and the role of Bishops.

It is said Ignatius converted to Christianity at a young age. Tradition identifies Ignatius, along with his friend Polycarp, as disciples of John the Apostle. Later in his life, Ignatius was chosen to serve as Bishop of Antioch. The fourth-century Church historian Eusebius writes that Ignatius succeeded Evodius as Bishop.

Theodoret of Cyrrhus claimed that St. Peter himself left directions that Ignatius be appointed to the episcopal see of Antioch. Ignatius called himself Theophorus (God Bearer). A tradition arose that he was one of the children whom Jesus Christ took in his arms and blessed.

Martyrdom

Instead of being executed in his hometown of Antioch, Ignatius was escorted to Rome by a company of ten Roman soldiers. The epistles of Ignatius state that he was put in chains during the journey to Rome, but it was illegal under Roman law for a citizen to be put in bonds during an appeal to the emperor.

Allen Brent argues that Ignatius was transferred to Rome at the request of the emperor in order to provide entertainment to the masses by being killed in the Colosseum.

During the journey, the soldiers seem to have allowed Ignatius to meet with entire congregations of Christians in different places, at least while he was in Philadelphia, and numerous Christian visitors and messengers were allowed to meet with him on a one-on-one basis. These messengers allowed Ignatius to send six letters to nearby churches, and one to Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna. We still have these letters as a great treasure of the Church today. 

The content of the letters addressed the hierarchy and structure of the Church as well as the content of the orthodox Christian faith. It was Bishop Ignatius who first used the term "catholic" to describe the whole Church. These letters connect us to the early Church and the unbroken, clear teaching of the Apostles which was given to them directly by Jesus Christ. 

Tradition places the martyrdom of Ignatius in the reign of Trajan, who was emperor of Rome from 98 to 117 AD. It is believed that Ignatius was thrown to the lions at the Colosseum and was brutally killed.

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1. Saint Florentius
2. Saint Francois Gagelin
3. Saint John the Dwarf
4. Saint Rudolph of Gubbio
5. Saint Regulus