Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch (2nd century AD, martyrdom alleged in the last years of the reign of Emperor Trajan ( 110-117 ), a number of researchers date due to a different view regarding the authenticity of the Ignatian letters his lifetime to the time after 160 AD ) was bishop of Antioch in Syria. His exact vital statistics and circumstances are not known. He later led to the nickname Theophoros, " the God-Bearer ". Seven of his letters are recognized as genuine. He is a witness for early dogmatic statements in the Christian church.

Life-history

The main source about Ignatius is the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius of Caesarea, which originated at the beginning of the 4th century. According to Eusebius ( Church History 3,36,15 ) followed Euodius Ignatius of Antioch by a bishop of Antioch; Ignatius ' successor was hero. So he therefore was the third Patriarch and Bishop of Antioch to the apostle Simon Peter, and Euodius of Antioch. According to Origen († 254), however, he was the second bishop of Antioch after; Peter himself had consecrated him bishop.

Next reported Eusebius ( Church History 3.36 ) that Ignatius had been arrested in Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan ( 98-117 ), and brought to Rome. There he had been torn in the circus lions. According to Eusebius ' Chronicle he was from the first year of Vespasian 69/70 up to the tenth year of Trajan 107/8 Bishop of Antioch; therefore he would have died at 107/8. However, the vast majority of theological commentators now occupies the martyrdom of Ignatius in recent years to Trajan ( 110-117 ). Adolf von Harnack and other historians rejected the dating to the reign of Trajan, however, as early as fictitious and took or take as a death date not earlier than the year 138, ie the end of the reign of the Emperor Hadrian ( Trajan Hadrian Augustus ), or even later dates because the early dating the result of a later schematic calculation on the basis of costs incurred later bishop lists is merely that have, however, become generally established in the beginning of the Late Antiquity. For other researchers, a creation of the writings attributed to Ignatius before 160 AD is highly unlikely. They represent a late date because the letters presuppose theological and institutional developments that are otherwise documented decades after Trajan. This was particularly true for the " monarchical episcopate " that is mentioned in Ignatius ( Ign. Ant Smyrn. 8.1 f ), but is otherwise attested only since the later 2nd century.

Overall, Ignatius is considered in the tradition of the Church as a missionary; he is said to have animated by its nature, his faith many Romans to the Christian faith.

Letters of Ignatius

Eusebius further reports that Ignatius had met on his transport through Asia Minor to Rome with several church leaders and they have encouraged in their faith. He also warned against false teachings and written down these warnings in the seven so-called Ignatian letters. It involves six letters to the churches in Ephesus, Magnesia (Letter of Ignatius to the Magnesians ), Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia and Smyrna as well as a letter to Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna. In it, he thanked that municipalities had him through emissaries on his ordeal can be welcome, they encouraged against heresies, calls for obedience and asks the Romans, not to work for his release. The first four were written in Smyrna, the last three in Troas. There are other, the Ignatius attributed letters, but these are not genuine.

Great importance has Ignatius, as he emphasizes the special position of the bishop in the Christian church in his letters. It is therefore an important informant for the churches of Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and ancient Near Eastern tradition that consistently teach the establishment of the episcopal ministry by Christ himself. There are of course from the period after Ignatius still texts that can be interpreted so that the deacons and presbyters were equal footing with the bishop. In his letters Ignatius warns against heresies, especially against Judaizing tendencies and before Docetism.

It is significant to say that Ignatius the adjective catholic was the first in the Christian literature of the Church, that is universal assigns. Where Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. (Letter to the Smyrnaeans 8.2 ). In Antioch - in the time after Rome and Alexandria, one of the three great cities of the Roman Empire with thriving Christian communities - called the disciples of Jesus for the first time Christians ( Acts 11:26 EU).

Legends

Other reports of Ignatius as those of Eusebius are clearly of later date and do not provide reliable information.

The Church's tradition sees Ignatius as disciples of the Apostles Peter and John, and therefore expects him to the apostolic fathers.

The later legend Ignatius equated with the little child that did Jesus Christ in the center of the disciples when he asked her to be like children. From the ages this identification would be possible, but this tradition was so late ( after the 4th century), they may not correspond to any historical tradition.

As a saint

Ignatius is honored in the Orthodox and Catholic churches as a saint. The memory days are October 17 in the Catholic, Protestant, Anglican and Syrian Church; in the Armenian Church, it is December 17, in the Orthodox Church December 20 and in the Coptic Church January 3.

All Patriarch of Antioch - especially the Syrian Orthodox - Wear honor of St. Ignatius of Antioch named Ignatius, Ignatius Greek, French Ignace.