Letters of Ignatius of Antioch
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) — Ignatius urged the churches to unity under their bishop.
Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, wrote seven letters while being escorted under guard to Rome for execution — to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna, and to his fellow bishop Polycarp. They are among the most vivid witnesses to early Christian theology, affirming the reality of Christ’s incarnation and passion and urging unity around the bishop.
CONTENTS & SIGNIFICANCE
- To the Ephesiansc. 107–115 CE
On unity and the mystery of Christ’s silence, spoken by the Father.
- To the Romansc. 107–115 CE
Asking the Roman Christians not to prevent his martyrdom.
- To the Smyrnaeansc. 107–115 CE
Contains the earliest surviving use of the phrase “Catholic Church.”
- To Polycarpc. 107–115 CE
Pastoral counsel to a younger bishop, urging him to “stand firm as an anvil.”
- The Christological lettersc. 107–115 CE
Defending Christ’s true flesh and resurrection against docetic teaching.
Source citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch