Thursday Dec 20 / Jan 2 ns 2025 • Holy Hieromartyr Ignátios the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch ~ Wine and olive oil are permitted. Saint: Heb. 10:32-38; St. Mark 9:33-41 ~ QUOTE FROM ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN

The Holy Hieromartyr Ignatios

[Theophoros - the God-Bearer]

He is called Theophoros (the God-bearer) because he constantly bore the name of the Living God in his heart and on his lips. According to tradition, he was thus named because he was held in the arms of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ. On a day when the Lord was teaching His disciples humility, He took a child and placed him among them, saying: Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (St Matthew 18:4). This child was Ignatios. Later, Ignatios was a disciple of St. John the Theologian, together with Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, Ignatios governed the Church of God as a good shepherd and was the first to introduce antiphonal chanting in the Church, in which two choirs alternate the chanting.

This manner of chanting was revealed to St. Ignatios by the angels in heaven. When Emperor Trajan was passing through Antioch on his way to do battle with the Persians, he heard of Ignatios, summoned him and counseled him to offer sacrifice to the idols. If Ignatios would do so, Trajan would bestow upon him the rank of senator. As the counsels and threats of the emperor were in vain, St. Ignatios was shackled in irons and sent to Rome in the company of ten merciless soldiers, to be thrown to the wild beasts. Ignatios rejoiced in suffering for his Lord, only praying to God that the wild beasts would become the tomb for his body and that no one would prevent him from this death.

After a long and difficult journey from Asia through Thrace, Macedonia and Epirus, Ignatios arrived in Rome, where he was thrown to the lions in the circus. The lions tore him to pieces and devoured him, leaving only several of the larger bones and his heart. This glorious lover of the Lord Christ suffered in the year 106 in Rome at the time of the Christ-hating Emperor Trajan. Ignatios has appeared many times from the other world and worked miracles, even to this day helping all who call upon him for help.

Hebrews 10:32-38
King James Version

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.


Saint Mark 9:33-41
King James Version

33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

The holy martyrs, seized with the love of Christ, were like unquenchable flames. This love eased their sufferings and made their deaths sweet. St. Chrysostomos says of St. Ignatius: "He put off his body with as much ease as one takes off his clothes.'' Traveling to Rome to his death, Ignatios feared only one thing: that Christians would somehow prevent his martyrdom for Christ, by their prayers to God or in some outward manner. Therefore he continually implored them, in writing and in speech, not to do this.

"Forgive me,'' he said. "I know what is for my benefit. I but begin to be a disciple of Christ when I desire nothing, either visible or invisible, save to attain Christ. May every diabolical torture come upon me: fire, crucifixion, wild beasts, the sword, tearing asunder, the crushing of my bones, and the dismemberment of my whole body-only that I may receive Jesus Christ. It is better for me to die for Christ than to reign to the ends of the earth…. My love is nailed to the Cross, and there is no fire of love in me for any earthly thing.''

When Blessed Ignatios was brought to the arena, he turned to the people with these words:
"Citizens of Rome, know that I am not being punished for any crime, neither have I been condemned to death for any transgression, but rather for the sake of my God, by Whose love I am overcome and Whom I insatiably desire. I am His wheat, and the teeth of the wild beasts will grind me to be His pure bread.''

When he had been devoured by the wild beasts, by God's providence his heart remained among the bones. When the unbelievers cut open the saint's heart, they saw inside, inscribed in golden letters, the name Jesus Christ.

Description of one who has

denied himself,

taken up the Cross,

and shaped his or her life

in the Image of

Christ Himself.

by St Isaac the Syrian

Let yourself be persecuted

but do not persecute others;

be insulted but do not insult others; 

be slandered by others

but do not slander others.

Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep

with those who weep.

Such is the sign of purity. 

Suffer with the sick. 

Be afflicted with the sinner. 

Exult with those who repent. 

Be the friend of all, but in your spirit

remain alone,  

Spread your cloak over anyone

who falls into sin 

and shield him. 

And if you cannot take his fault

on yourself and accept punishment

in his place,

do not destroy his character.