Saturday, October 17, 2015

Ignatios ho Theophoros, Antiokheias

Today was the feast of the St. Ignatius of Antioch, the third bishop of Antioch and according to tradition appointed by St. Peter himself. From his letter to the Ephesians (10:1-3):

And pray ye also without ceasing for the rest of mankind (for there is in them a hope of repentance), that they may find God. Therefore permit them to take lessons at least from your works. Against their outbursts of wrath be ye meek; against their proud words be ye humble; against their railings set ye your prayers; against their errors be ye stedfast in the faith; against their fierceness be ye gentle. And be not zealous to imitate them by requital. Let us show ourselves their brothers by our forbearance; but let us be zealous to be imitators of the Lord, vying with each other who shall suffer the greater wrong, who shall be defrauded, who shall be set at nought; that no herb of the devil be found in you: but in all purity and temperance abide ye in Christ Jesus, with our flesh and with your spirit.