Our Patron Saint
Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch
Our Patron Saint
St. Ignatius of Antioch
“As a pilot calls on winds and a storm-tossed mariner looks homeward, so the times call on you to win your way to God. As God’s athlete, be sober; the stake is immortality and eternal life.” -St. Ignatius of Antioch
Our father among the saints Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch (d. AD 107) was the third bishop of Antioch, after the Apostle Peter and Euodios, whom St. Ignatius succeeded around AD 68. Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus (“God-bearer”), was a disciple of both Apostles Peter and John. His feast day is celebrated on December 20.
Hymn
By choosing the Apostles’ way of life,
you succeeded to their throne.
Inspired by God, you found the way to divine contemplation
through the practice of virtue.
After teaching the word of truth without error,
you defended the faith to the very shedding of your blood.
O holy martyr among bishops Ignatius,
entreat the Lord our God to save our souls.