Books Ignatius of Antioch: A Martyr Bishop and the origin of Episcopacy  by Allen Brent (Author)

Ignatius of Antioch was a prominent early Christian bishop, martyr, and theologian, renowned for his staunch defense of Christian doctrine and his role in shaping early church structure. He served as the third bishop of Antioch, possibly from around AD 67 to 107, and is widely recognized as a key figure in establishing the episcopal (bishop-led) leadership in the church, which later became the foundation of the episcopacy.

Ignatius's execution by the Roman authorities around AD 107–110 during Emperor Trajan’s reign is a pivotal event. He voluntarily faced martyrdom, famously embracing it as a way to unite with Christ. On his journey from Antioch to Rome, where he was to be executed in the Colosseum, he wrote several influential letters to early Christian communities that outlined important theological and ecclesiastical principles. These letters emphasized the unity of the church, the role of the bishop as a symbol of authority and cohesion, and the importance of the Eucharist.