IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, SAINT. Bishop of Antioch in the reign of Trajan, and author of seven Greek letters which are included among the works of the Apostolic Fathers (q.v.). Little is known of Ignatius's life. Ile was born prob ably not far from the middle of the first century. Syria appears to have been his home. Tradition says that he was a disciple of the Apostle John, which is not impossible. Much less likely is the tradition which makes him the chill whom Jesus took in his arms and blessed. There is no reasonable ground for doubting that Ignatius was Bishop of Antioch. but we do not know how long he held that office. The statement of Origen and Fusebius that he Was the second Bishop may be accepted. This leaves Peter out of account, and makes Ignatius the successor of Evodius. Respecting the close of his life. we have more definite information. He was con demned to be killed by wild beasts in the arena, and for that purpose was taken to Rome. under guard of ten Roman soldiers. They passed through Asia Minor. stopping here and there, and being received with Christian hospitality by the churches along their route. At Smyrna Ignatius wrote letters to the churches of Ephesus, Mag nesia, Tralles, and Rome. Further on, at Troas, he wrote to the Philadelphians, the Smyrna-ans, and to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. He then
was led to Rome, where he suffered martyrdom, probably at sonic time between 107 and 117 A.D. The most definite early statements point to the tenth year of Trajan, which would be 107-108. It was believed, at a considerably later time, that his remains were carried to A,,tioch for burial.
The extant Martyr Jets of Ignatius are not authentic. Long and bitter controversy bas raged over the epistles bear his name. They are extant in several different versions, especially three: (1) The longer Greek, contain ing thirteen epistles; (2) the shorter Greek. con taining seven epistles; (3) the Syriac, containing only three epistles. The critical question is, Which form, if any, is the genuine one? Opin ions have varied widely. It has been held (a) that all the recensions are spurious; (h) that the shorter Greek form alone is genuine; (e) that the Syriac alone is genuine; (d) that, of the shorter Greek form, all the epistles except Romans are genuine; and (e) that Romans only is a genuine epistle. The best modern criticism holds to the authenticity of the seven epistles in the shorter Greek form. There is almost contem porary witness borne to the Jgnatian letters in the Epistle of Polyearp to the Philippians (see