Epistles of Ignatius

Christ has, to our amazement, been revealed among us as the Son of the living God, and has become man in these recent times through the Virgin Mary, from the lineage of David and Abraham, as was foretold about Him and through Him by the group of prophets. We therefore plead and request that, by your wisdom, our friend Maris, the bishop of our native Neapolis near Zarbus, along with Eulogius and Sobelus the presbyter, be sent to us so we are not without leaders over the divine word, as Moses also says, "Let the Lord God choose a man who shall guide this people, so the congregation of the Lord shall not be like sheep without a shepherd."