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11 - The Letters of Ignatius

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2021

Michael F. Bird
Affiliation:
Ridley College, Melbourne
Scott Harrower
Affiliation:
Ridley College, Melbourne
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Summary

Writing in the fourth century, Eusebius puts forward what may be regarded as the traditional story of Ignatius of Antioch. Little is said of his birth or early life. Eusebius’ account begins in earnest with the apparent arrest of Ignatius in Syria or, more specifically, in Antioch. Ignatius is then forced to travel with a cohort guarding him overland through Asia. While in Smyrna and Troas, he wrote seven letters: five to nearby communities of believers in western Asia (Ephesians; Magnesians; Trallians; Philadelphians; Smyrnaeans), one to believers in Rome (Romans), and one to a fellow ecclesial leader named Polycarp (Polycarp). In his Letter to Polycarp, Ignatius says that he would like to write more but is unable to do so because he is being forced to sail on to Neapolis (Ign. Pol. 8.1). This is the last that is heard from Ignatius himself. To follow the story to the end we must consult documents that postdate Ignatius’ letters. These end with Ignatius’ death by the beasts that he had earlier hoped would become his tomb (Ign. Rom. 4.2).

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

Further Reading

Corwin, V. St. Ignatius and Christianity in Antioch. Yale Publications in Religion 1. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1960.Google Scholar
Foster, P.The Epistles of Ignatius of Antioch,” in The Apostolic Fathers, ed. Foster, P.. London: T&T Clark, 2007, 81107.Google Scholar
Löhr, H.The Epistles of Ignatius of Antioch,” in The Apostolic Fathers: An Introduction, ed. Pratscher, W.. Waco. TX: Baylor University Press, 2010, 91115.Google Scholar
Schoedel, W.R. Ignatius of Antioch. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1985.Google Scholar
Stewart, A. Ignatius of Antioch: The Letters. Popular Patristics Series 49. Yonkers, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2013.Google Scholar
Trevett, C. A Study of Ignatius of Antioch in Syria and Asia. Studies in the Bible and Early Christianity 29. Lewiston, ME: Edwin Mellen, 1992.Google Scholar
Vall, G. Learning Christ: Ignatius of Antioch and the Mystery of Redemption. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2013.Google Scholar

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