Larry Devich
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr
Ignatius was the bishop of Antioch in Syria at the beginning of the second century A.D. and an early Christian martyr. Near the end of the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan (98-117), Ignatius was arrested, taken in chains to Rome and eventually thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. On the way to Rome he wrote letters to the Christians at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia and Smyrna and also to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. In the letters, which are beautifully pastoral in tone, Ignatius warned against certain heresies (false teachings). He also repeatedly stressed the full humanity and deity of Christ, the reality of Christ's bodily presence in the Lord's Supper, the supreme authority of the bishop and the unity of the Church found in her bishops. Ignatius was the first to use the word catholic to describe the universality of the Church. His Christ-centeredness, his courage in the face of martyrdom, and his zeal for the truth over against false doctrine are a lasting legacy to the Church. [From "Commemorations Biographies," Lutheran Service Book, LCMS Commission on Worship]
As I said, vacation, broken wrist, ten days of work in row now, few posts. I hope to resume posting more frequently not too far off in the future. I get this cast off in two weeks, woo hoo! ΒΆ 10/17/2006 05:01:00 AM 0 Comments
As I said, vacation, broken wrist, ten days of work in row now, few posts. I hope to resume posting more frequently not too far off in the future. I get this cast off in two weeks, woo hoo! ΒΆ 10/17/2006 05:01:00 AM 0 Comments
