St. Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius, called the God-bearer, was the third bishop of Antioch. By tradition he was the child Christ took in His arms when He said, “Unless you become like little children.” Arrested under the emperor Trajan, he was taken under guard to Rome, and along the way he wrote seven letters to the churches about the bishop, the Eucharist and unity. He begged the Christians of Rome not to save him: “I am the wheat of God, ground by the teeth of wild beasts.” He was killed by lions in the arena.

• Feast: December 20 (New Calendar)
• Lived: died c. 107
• Place: Antioch