Today we celebrate the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God Bearer. According to tradition, Saint Ignatius was the child that Christ Himself held and said, "unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”. As he grew up, Ignatius constantly dwelt on the things on high and thus earns himself the name "God-Bearer". Saint Ignatius was a fervent disciple of the Evangelist John the Theologian, with his fellow student Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. In time, he was elected Bishop of Antioch and spared no effort to build up the Church of Christ. The tradition of chanting antiphonally in church (i.e. in two choirs) was passed down to us from Saint Ignatius himself, who, in a vision, was transported to heaven and beheld the angles glorifying God in such a manner. During the persecution of the Emperor Trajan, Ignatius boldly confessed Christ as Trajan himself travelled through Antioch. Ignatius was arrested for not sacrificing to the idols and was condemned to death in Rome. The sentence was held in Rome because Trajan knew that if Ignatius were killed in Antioch, the Christians would venerate his relics. On his way to Rome, Ignatius fervently preached the Word of God and multitudes gathered to hear him. During this time, he wrote his many famous epistles to various people and churches, all of which survive today and are studied by theologians all around the world. Arriving in Rome, Saint Ignatius was sentenced to be thrown to the lions. When this occurred, the wild beasts tore the Martyr to shreds, leaving only his heart untouched. When the guards cut open his heart, they found the words "Jesus Christ" inscribed in gold writing. Hearing of the great courage of Ignatius, Trajan favoured him and ceased persecuting the Christians. May he intercede for us always + #saint #ignatius #ignatios #hieromartyr #martyrdom #godbearer #theophoros #martyrdom #christ #jesus #jesuschrist #christian #christianity #lions #antioch #bishop #jerusalem #rome #emperor #trajan #emperortrajan #polycarp #polycarpofsmyrna #smyrna #johntheevangelist #johnthetheologian #saintjohn #stjohn #john #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Antioch, Turkey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmXabSMyGT5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=