Martyrdom: Persecution and Self-Understanding

Question 1

Who was Eusebius Caesarea?

Answer 1

He wrote about the journey of Ignatius of Antioch, to his death

Question 2

When did Ignatius of Antioch die?

Answer 2

the reign of Trajan (98-117), circa 110

Question 3

Who was Ignatius?

Answer 3

He was the third bisshop of Antioch and he wrote letters on the journey to his death in Philipi

Question 4

Where did the letters of Ignatius addressed to?

Answer 4

• Ephesus (Eph)
• Magnesia (Mg)
• Tralles (Tr)
• Rome (from Smyrna)
• Philadelphia (Ph)
• Smyrna (Sm)
• Polycarp, bisshop of Smyrna (from Troas)

Question 5

What are the themes in the letters of Ignatius?

Answer 5

• Polemic with Jews &
  so-called ‘Judaizing’ Christians (Mg/Ph)
• Polemic against gnosticism:
  anti-Docetism (Sm/Eph/Tr)
• ‘Monarchical episcopate’ (Eph/Mg/Ph/Sm)
• Martyrdom

Question 6

What was the relation between some of his themes?

Answer 6

His anti-docetism relates to the incarnation (Jesus’ body was truly of flesh and blood) > it is connected to his view on martyrdom (the body literally dies in imitation of Christ; this is important as it enables the martyr to enter the divine realm/heaven/the presence of God directly) but also to his views on the efficacy of the eucharistic sacrament which he calls ‘a medicine for immortality (farmakon athanasias)’

Question 7

How was his view on the bisshop?

Answer 7

1. the bishop as the representative of God and guardian of the unity of the Church
2. the bishop (episkopos): was above presbuteroi and diakonoi