The Martyrdom of Ignatius

WHEN TRAJAN RECENTLY BECAME THE EMPEROR OF THE ROMANS: Ignatius, a disciple of the apostle John and a man with all the qualities of an apostolic character, diligently led the Church of the Antiochians. He had narrowly survived the previous storms of numerous persecutions under Domitian. Like a skilled pilot, through prayer, fasting, earnest teaching, and constant spiritual labor, he resisted the challenges he faced, only fearing that he might lose those who were lacking in courage or were vulnerable due to their simplicity. Therefore, he rejoiced over the peaceful state of the Church when the persecution paused for a short time, but he felt personally troubled that he had not yet achieved a true love for Christ or reached the perfect status of a disciple. He reflected internally that the confession made through martyrdom would bring him into a closer relationship with the Lord. Thus, after spending a few more years with the Church and enlightening everyone's understanding with his interpretations of the Holy Scriptures like a divine lamp, he ultimately achieved the goal of his desire.

In the ninth year of Trajan's reign, he became proud after defeating the Scythians, Dacians, and many other nations. Believing that the Christians were the last group needed for him to control everything, he threatened to persecute them unless they worshiped demons, like all other nations. This forced everyone living godly lives to either sacrifice to idols or die. Because of this, the noble soldier of Christ, Ignatius, concerned for the Church of the Antiochians, voluntarily appeared before Trajan, who was in Antioch but eager to set out against Armenia and the Parthians.

WHEN IGNATIUS WAS BROUGHT BEFORE EMPEROR TRAJAN: Trajan said to him, “Who are you, wicked wretch, that defies our commands and persuades others to do the same, causing them to perish miserably?” Ignatius replied, “No one should call Theophorus wicked; for all evil spirits have left the servants of God.

But if you call me wicked because I oppose these spirits, I agree with you; because with Christ, the King of heaven, in me, I destroy all their schemes.” Trajan responded, “And who is Theophorus?” Ignatius answered, “He who has Christ within his heart.” Trajan then asked, “Do we not seem to have the gods in our minds, whose help we enjoy when fighting our enemies?” Ignatius replied, “You are mistaken when you call the demons of the nations gods.

There is only one God, who made heaven, earth, the sea, and all within them; and one Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, whose kingdom I hope to enjoy.” Trajan asked, “Do you mean the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?” Ignatius responded, “I mean the one who crucified my sin, along with its inventor, and who has condemned all the deceit and malice of the devil under the feet of those who carry Him in their heart.” Trajan asked, “Do you carry the one who was crucified within you?” Ignatius replied, “Truly, for it is written, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them.’” Then Trajan declared his sentence: “We order that Ignatius, who claims to carry the one who was crucified within him, be bound by soldiers and sent to the great city of Rome, there to be devoured by beasts for the amusement of the people.” Upon hearing this, the holy martyr joyfully exclaimed, “I thank You, O Lord, for granting me perfect love toward You, and for allowing me to be bound with chains, like Your Apostle Paul.” With these words, he happily wrapped the chains around himself.

After he prayed for the Church and entrusted it with tears to the Lord, he was swiftly taken away by the soldiers' cruel savagery, like a distinguished leader of a good flock, to be brought to Rome and serve as food for the bloodthirsty beasts.

THEREFORE: with great eagerness and joy, driven by his desire to suffer, he traveled from Antioch to Seleucia, from where he set sail. After enduring much suffering, he arrived in Smyrna, where he disembarked with great joy and hurried to see the holy Polycarp, formerly his fellow disciple and now the bishop of Smyrna. Both had been disciples of St. John the Apostle in earlier times. When he was brought to him, he shared some spiritual gifts and, taking pride in his bonds, asked him to work with him toward the fulfillment of his desire. He earnestly requested this from the entire Church, for the cities and Churches of Asia had welcomed the holy man through their bishops, presbyters, and deacons, all hurrying to meet him in hopes of receiving some spiritual gift from him. Above all, he implored the holy Polycarp that, through the wild beasts, he might soon leave this world and be revealed before the face of Christ.

HE SAID THESE THINGS AND TESTIFIED IN THIS WAY: showing his love for Christ like someone about to secure heaven through his good confession and the sincerity of those who joined their prayers with his regarding his upcoming conflict. He also wanted to thank the Churches, who came to meet him through their leaders, by sending them letters of gratitude filled with spiritual grace, along with prayers and encouragement. Therefore, seeing everyone so kindly disposed towards him, and fearing that the love of the brotherhood might hinder his dedication to the Lord while a favorable opportunity for suffering martyrdom was before him, he wrote the Epistle to the Church of the Romans that is included here.

(Refer to the Epistle as previously provided.)

HAVING: through this letter, reassured the brethren in Rome who were hesitant about his martyrdom, and setting sail from Smyrna (since Christophorus was urged by the soldiers to hurry to the public spectacles in the great city of Rome, in order to be offered to the wild beasts in front of the Roman people, and thereby achieve the crown for which he strived), he then landed at Troas. From there, he traveled to Neapolis and journeyed on foot through Philippi in Macedonia to that part of Epirus near Epidamnus. Finding a ship at a seaport, he sailed across the Adriatic Sea, and upon entering the Tyrrhenian Sea, he passed by various islands and cities. When Puteoli came into view, he was eager to disembark there, longing to walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. However, a violent wind prevented him, driving the ship swiftly forward; thus, he only expressed his happiness over the love of the brethren there as he sailed by. Continuing with favorable winds, we were reluctantly hurried on in a day and a night, mourning the impending departure of this righteous man from us. But for him, this was exactly as he wished, as he was eager to leave this world quickly to reach the Lord whom he loved. Arriving at the Roman harbor as the unholy games were nearing their end, the soldiers grew frustrated with our delay, but the bishop joyfully submitted to their insistence.

They set out from the place called Portus; and since news about the holy martyr had already spread widely, we met the brothers who were full of both fear and joy. They were rejoicing because they were deemed worthy to meet Theophorus, but they were also afraid since such a distinguished person was being led to his death. He instructed some to keep silent, those who in their passionate zeal were saying they would calm the people, so they wouldn't demand the execution of this righteous person.

HE BECAME AWARE OF THIS THROUGH THE SPIRIT AND: after greeting them all, he asked them to show genuine affection towards him. He spoke on this longer than in his letter, persuading them not to resent him for hastening to the Lord.

Then, after he prayed with all the brothers kneeling beside him, asking the Son of God to stop the persecution and that mutual love might continue among the brothers, he was quickly taken into the amphitheater. There, he was immediately thrown in, according to Caesar's earlier command, because the public spectacles were about to end (for it was considered a solemn day, the thirteenth in the Roman calendar, when more people than usual would gather).

He was thus cast to the wild beasts near the temple, so that the desire of the holy martyr Ignatius would be fulfilled, according to what is written, “The desire of the righteous is acceptable [to God].” This was intended so he would not be a burden to any of the brothers by the gathering of his remains, just as he had wished in advance in his letter. Only the harder parts of his holy remains were left, which were taken to Antioch and wrapped in linen, regarded as an invaluable treasure left to the holy Church by the grace in the martyr.

These events occurred on December 20th, thirteen days before the Kalends of January, during the second consulship of Sura and Senecio in Rome. We witnessed these things ourselves and spent the entire night in tears at home, pleading to the Lord with bent knees and many prayers to give us, weak men, full assurance about the events. As it happened, after falling into a brief sleep, some of us saw the blessed Ignatius suddenly standing by us, embracing us, while others saw him praying for us, and still others saw him sweating as if he had just come from his great labor and standing by the Lord. Witnessing these things with great joy, and after discussing our visions with one another, we sang praise to God, the giver of all good things, and expressed our gratitude for the happiness of the holy martyr. We have informed you of both the day and time of these events so that, by gathering together at the time of his martyrdom, we may have fellowship with the champion and noble martyr of Christ, who overcame the devil and completed the course he desired out of love for Christ, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory and power be to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, forevermore! Amen.