Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius was martyred by being thrown to wild animals in a Roman colosseum

Ignatius of Antioch (c.25 CE - c.108 CE) was a 1st century Christian bishop in Antioch who was martyred for the faith by the Emperor Trajan. Along with his friend, Polycarp, he was a disciple of the Apostle John.

He played a crucial role in the development of the Early Church. He upheld the unity of the Christian faith and emphasized the importance of steadfastness in the face of trials. He was ultimately martyred in Rome, embracing his death as a testimony to his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. His life and example have made him a revered figure in Christian history, remembered as one of the Apostolic Fathers.

He is credited with writing Seven Epistles while travelling from Antioch to Rome. Some writers, including John Calvin, have claimed that these epistles were not originally from Ignatius and were pseudepigraphically ascribed to him.