Matthew 18:1-3 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 AD), a disciple of St. John the Apostle, was the child Jesus blessed in Matthew 18:2-3, exemplifying greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven. Known as Theophorus (God-borne), he became the third Bishop of Antioch.

Arrested by the Romans, he was transported to Rome to die in the arena, hoping to discourage Christianity. Instead, he met and encouraged Christians, writing letters to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Philadelphians, Smyrneans, Romans, and Polycarp, a disciple of John the Evangelist.

Ignatius, an Apostolic Father, wrote several influential letters that shaped Christian theology. Despite signs of haste and lack of organization, his writings are valuable due to the scarcity of writings from this period. Ignatius emphasized loyalty to a single bishop in each city, assisted by presbyters and deacons. He also highly regarded the Eucharist, calling it “a medicine to immortality.” While his desire for martyrdom may seem odd to secular readers, he believed salvation came from overcoming death’s power.

Living during Jesus’s incarnation and having direct ties to the Apostles, Ignatius affirmed Jesus’s divinity, calling him “our God” multiple times. This shows that Trinitarian theology was taught from the early Church, not invented by Constantine in the 4th century. He also taught that the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus, which only became a controversial topic 1400 years later.

Troparion (Tone 4)

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
You became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation,
O inspired one of God;
By teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith,
Even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Ignatius, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion (Tone 3)

The stirring celebration of your victorious fight
Is an announcement of the One who is to be born of the Virgin.
In your eagerness to possess Him forever,
You hastened to be devoured by the wild beasts.
Therefore, O glorious Ignatius, you were called the bearer of God!