Ignatius

Ignatius, St., surnamed Theophorus, a martyr and Apostolical Father, was born in Syria early in the first century A.D. St. John the Evangelist appointed him bishop of Antioch in 68, and there he exercised his functions until in 107 Trajan visited the city, and endeavoured to persuade him to apostatise. On his refusal he was sent to Rome, and exposed to wild beasts in the arena. He left seven genuine epistles, and over the authenticity of others ascribed to him controversy has raged fiercely.