Patristic Articles>
Ignatius of Antioch


20 Nov 2004

Ignatius of Antioch (35-107)

Major works:

          Seven letters before his death in Rome

Importance

          Bishop of church at Antioch

          Personal disciple of one or more apostles

          Advocate of divinity of Christ and the incarnation (refuted docetism)

          Urged Christians not to try to escape martyrdom by fleeing from Rome

          First to use phrase, “Catholic Church”