18/10/2026
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who was also called Theophorus meaning one that carries God, was born in Syria and lived in the first century of the Church. He was a disciple of the apostles, who baptized him. Eventually he became the third Bishop of Antioch, after Peter, who was the first Bishop of Antioch and Evodius, who was the second. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians living there to choose between death and denying Christ. Ignatius would not deny Christ and was condemned to be put to death in Rome.
During his journey from Antioch to Rome, he wrote seven letters - five to the churches in Asia Minor (the central/westernmost part of modern-day Turkey). He urges the Christians living there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He also teaches them about the Christian faith and warns them against heretical doctrines. The sixth letter was sent to St Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. In his final letter to Christians in Rome, he begs them not to prevent his impending martyrdom.
He was martyred in 107 and his feast was already being celebrated on the 17 October in fourth-century Antioch.
