St. Ignatius of Antioch (also known as, Theophoros, “God Bearer”) – Third Bishop of Antioch. Probably ordained by the apostle Peter.
Lived: Approx. AD 30-107
Disciple of the Apostle John and friend of St. Polycarp. Some legends indicate that Ignatius was the child in Mark 9:35-36.
Sentenced to death in the arena at Rome – on the trip he writes to several churches along the way. In this collection, one was to the church at Rome...note his purpose in writing to them as you read it. Also included is an anonymous account of his martyrdom.
St. Polycarp of Smyrna – Bishop of Smyrna. Probably ordained by the apostle John.
Lived: Approx AD 69-155
Disciple of the Apostle John and friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Also the teacher of St. Ireneaus (one of the first theologians of the church – we will read some of his work later).
Representative to Rome to discuss the day on which to observe Easter – the eastern churches under Polycarp followed a tradition that differed form the west and, in the end, east and west did not agree.
Discussion: Why were early Christians persecuted/martyred and who persecuted them?
Note while reading, the similarities to the stories of St. Paul but more to the story of Jesus.