The Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch

⊕Authors: Unknown
Date: 2nd–3rd century
 
Related:
• Ignatius of Antioch
• The Martyrdom of Polycarp
• The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity

Introduction

The author of this account is anonymous. The text has been attributed to companions on Ignatius’ journey to martyrdom; tradition names figures like Philo of Cilicia and Rheus Agathopus as eyewitnesses and authors. Chapter five describes “those who traveled with him,” and the viewpoint changes in chapter six: “When we arrived, the Christians came out to meet us,” suggesting that the writers joined the martyr shortly before or after his departure from Portus. Though the text in its current form likely dates from the second century or later, the account is quite specific as to the places and dates of the events it relates, placing Ignatius’s martyrdom on December 20, AD 107. 

The Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch

1

When TrajanReigned AD 98–117 had just become emperor, Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of John the Apostle, and a man of apostolic character, was leading the church in Antioch with great care. He had only just escaped the earlier storms of persecutions under Domitian.

Like a skilled pilot steering a ship through rough waters with the helm of prayer and fasting, Ignatius taught with earnestness, and worked constantly for the spiritual good of his people. He stood firm against the flood that rolled around him, concerned only to lose none of those who were weaker in faith or easily led astray.

When the persecution eased for a time, he rejoiced that the Church was at peace. But for himself, he grieved he had not yet attained to a true love to Christ, nor reached the fullness of what it meant to be a disciple. For he inwardly reflected that testifying by martyrdom would bring him yet closer to the Lord.

For a few years longer, he continued serving the Church, like a lamp lighting the way for others, teaching the holy scriptures and enlightening the understanding of all. And in the end he attained the goal he had desired.

2

In the ninth year of his reign,AD 107 the emperor Trajan had grown proud after defeating the Scythians, the Dacians, and many other nations. He believed the only group left to bring under his control was the Christians. So he threatened them: Either worship the demon, as all other peoples did, or face persecution. This command compelled Christians either to sacrifice to idols or to die.

For this reason the noble soldier of Christ Ignatius was brought before Trajan in Antioch. Ignatius himself welcomed this, for he was concerned for the safety of the church there.

Trajan, who was preparing for a campaign against Armenia and the Parthians, questioned him. “Who are you, you evil demon, zealously defying my commands and encouraging others to do the same, leading them to destruction?”

Ignatius replied, “No one should call the God-bearerGreek: Theophoros. Here and in all Ignatius’s letters, he bears this name, indicating he has Christ God within him. evil, for all demons have departed from the servants of God. But if you call me wicked because I oppose the demons, then I accept that. Christ, the King of heaven, lives within me, so I destroy all their schemes.”

Trajan asked, “And who is the God-bearer?”

Ignatius answered, “One who has Christ within him.”

Trajan said, “Do we not have the gods in our mind, who help us in battle against our enemies?”

Ignatius replied, “You’re mistaken to call the demons of the nations gods. There is only one God, who made heaven and the earth and the sea, and one Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son. May I be a sharer in His kingdom!”

Trajan asked, “Do you mean the one who was crucified under Pontius Pilate?”

Ignatius answered, “Yes, I mean the One who crucified my sin and the author of my sin, and who has cast down all the deceit and malice of the devil under the feet of those who carry Him in their heart.”

Trajan asked, “Then do you carry this crucified man within you?”

Ignatius replied, “I do. For it is written, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them.’”2 Corinthians 6:16.

At that point, Trajan pronounced his judgment: “We command that Ignatius, who affirms that he carries about within him the crucified, be bound by soldiers, and carried to the great city of Rome, there to be devoured by the beasts for the entertainment of the people.”

When Ignatius heard this, he cried out with joy, “I thank you, O Lord, that you have granted me this honor, to love you to the end and to be bound in chains like your apostle Paul.”Acts 21:30–33.

With delight he clasped the chains that bound him. Then, when he had prayed for the Church and commended it with tears to the Lord, the soldiers led him away harshly, like a strong ram chosen from a flock, to take him away to Rome where he would be made food for the bloodthirsty beasts.

3

So it was that, with great alacrity and joy because of his desire to suffer for Christ, Ignatius traveled from Antioch down to Seleucia, where he boarded a ship. After a difficult journey, he arrived at Smyrna. There he gladly disembarked and quickly went to see the holy Polycarp, who was now bishop of Smyrna. For in earlier days they hand been disciples together of Saint John the Apostle.

When they met, Ignatius shared spiritual encouragement with him and gloried in his chains. He urged Polycarp to labor with him in reaching his goal of martyrdom. He earnestly asked this not only of Polycarp but of the whole Church.

As Ignatius traveled, Christians from cities all over Asia came out to welcome him through their bishops, presbyters and deacons, hoping to receive some spiritual gift from him. But more than anyone, he especially entreated the aid of the holy Polycarp, that by being thrown to the wild beasts and disappearing from this world, he might be stand before the face of Christ.

4

This was what he said and testified, extending his love to Christ, confident that this faithful testimony would lead him to heaven. Many others joined their prayers to his as he faced the coming conflict.

As he traveled, the churches welcomed him through their leaders, and he responded by sending letters of thanks. These letters were full of spiritual grace, prayer, and exhortation.

Yet, seeing how everyone cared about him, Ignatius grew concerned that their love might lead them to try to stop his journey to martyrdom, just when the opportunity to suffer for Christ was opening before him. So he wrote a letter to the church in Rome, which is attached here.“>Letter of Ignatius to the Romans.

5

After sending this letter to calm the Christians in Rome who were unwilling to see him martyred, he set sail from Smyrna. The soldiers were making haste eagerly to get him to Rome in time for the public games, where he would be thrown to wild beasts before the crowd and receive the crown of martyrdom for which he was striving.

They landed next at Troas, then traveled on to Neapolis. From there, they went on foot through Philippi and across Macedonia, continuing toward the region of Epirus near Epidamnus. At one of the seaports, they found a ship, crossed the Adriatic Sea, and entered the Tyrrhenian Sea, passing various islands and cities along the way.

When Puteoli came into view, Ignatius wanted to get off there, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.Acts 28:13-14 But a strong wind kept the ship moving, and they couldn’t stop. Still, he took comfort in the love of the believers in that city as they sailed past.

With good winds, the journey now went quickly, and in just a day and a night they were carried onward, though those who traveled with him felt the weight of what was coming and mourned at the departure of this righteous man. But to Ignatius all was happened just as he hoped, since he was in haste as soon as possible to leave this world to be with the Lord he loved.

When they finally reached the Roman harbor, the profane public games were nearly over. The soldiers grew impatient with any delay, but the bishop yielded to their urgency with rejoicing.

6

They set out from the place called Portus, and by then the news about Ignatius had spread everywhere. When we arrived, the Christians came out to meet us, full of joy and fear, rejoicing that they were granted to meet with the God-Bearer, but also troubled because such a great man was being led to his death.

Some of them, out of strong emotion, said they would try to calm the crowd and stop the execution of this righteous man. But Ignatius understood their intentions through the Holy Spirit, and ordered them to keep silent.

After greeting everyone, he urged them to show real love for him, not by trying to save him, but by letting him go. He spoke about this even more strongly than he had in his letter, asking them not to stand in the way of his hastening to be with the Lord.

Then, with everyone kneeling beside him, he entreated the Son of God for the Churches, that the persecution would end, and mutual love might continue among the brethren. Then he was quickly taken into the amphitheater.

There, following the emperor’s earlier command, and with the public games nearly over, he was immediately thrown to the wild beasts. Great crowds were gathered, for it was was a major festival day, the twentieth of December Literally: The thirteenth. He was thrown to the wild beasts close beside the temple, so by them his long-held desire was fulfilled, just as Scripture says: “The desire of the righteous is granted.”Proverbs 10:24

Very little of his body remained—only the harder parts. These were taken back to Antioch, wrapped in linen, and treasured by the Church as a priceless treasure left to the holy Church by the grace which was in the martyr.

7

All these events took place on December 20, the thirteenth day before the Kalends of January, when Sura and Senecio were serving as consuls for the second time.[Lucius Licinius Sura and Quintus Sosius Senecio served together as consules ordinarii for the second time in AD 107]

We saw all of this ourselves. All that night, we stayed together in the house, grieving and in tears. On our knees we entreated the Lord with much prayer to give us weak men full assurance of what had just happened. As we fell into a brief sleep, some of us saw the blessed Ignatius standing with us and embracing us. Others saw him praying for us, and still others saw him covered in sweat, as if fresh from great effort, and now standing with the Lord.

When we woke, we shared what we had seen. Realizing how these visions fit together, we sang praise to God, the Giver of all good things, and delighted in the happiness of the holy martyr.

Now we have told you exactly when these things took place, so that every year, assembling together at the time of his martyrdom, we may have fellowship with the champion and noble martyr of Christ, who trampled the devil under foot and finished the path he had long desired, out of love for Christ.

In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, by whom, and with whom, be glory and power to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, for evermore! Amen.