Remembered on December 20
Ignatius the Godbearer
- HieromartyrA bishop, priest, or deacon who suffered martyrdom for Christ.
All hieromartyrs - BishopA bishop honored as a saint for faithfully shepherding the Church.
All bishops
Ignatius was bishop of Antioch in the early second century. As a prisoner being taken to Rome, he wrote letters encouraging Christian communities to remain united in Christ, gather around their bishop and care for people in need. His letters still let us hear a pastor thinking about others while facing his own death. The Church remembers him as the Godbearer, a man whose love for Christ shaped his life and teaching.
How he died
He was martyred in Rome by being thrown to wild beasts.
- Feast day
- December 20
Parishes on the Old Calendar keep it on January 2. - Kind of saint
- Hieromartyr, Bishop
Life written by Simply Orthodox; quote freely with a link.