Ignatius of Antioch

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Bishop and martyr, mystic. He most likely came from a pagan environment where the traditions of Greek philosophy were alive. The above assumptions are indicated by the language and style of his letters.
Around the year 105, during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117), he was imprisoned with a group of fellow believers and sentenced to be torn to pieces by wild animals in an arena in Rome.

The travel route was by sea and land from Antioch through Asia Minor and Macedonia to the capital of the Empire – Rome.

The first longer stop was in Smyrna. He met with the bishop of the local community, Polycarp, and delegations sent by the Christian communities of Ephesus, Magnesia and Tralleis to show their love, affection and respect and to provide him with help.
In Smyrna he wrote 4 letters to the churches in Ephesus, Magnesia and Tralleis, which were taken away by their delegates. The fourth letter to the Romans contained an earnest request that no efforts be made to release him.

The second longer stop took place in Troad. Ignatius writes three more letters to the Philadelphians, the Smyrenians and Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. Here he learns that the persecution in Antioch has ended and asks the addressees mentioned to send special delegations to Antioch with best wishes for the local Church.

From Troas by ship through Philippi and Thessalonica to Dyrrachium on the Adriatic Sea, then by ship to Brundysium and finally the famous Via Appia to Rome. He suffered the desired martyr’s death, probably in the Flavian amphitheater – the Colosseum.