St. Ignatius of antioch
St. Ignatius of Antioch was born in Syria, around the year 50ad and died in Rome between 98 and 117ad.
He was also known as Theophorus.
Several early ecclesiastical writers have given credence, to the legend that Ignatius was the child whom the Savior took up in His arms, as described in Mark 9:35.
When the persecution of Domitian broke out in its full fury upon the Christians of Syria. St. Ignatius served as a faithful leader who was prepared and watchful. He was vigilant and tireless in his efforts to inspire hope and to strengthen those of his flock against the fear of the persecution.
A short peace followed that gave St. Ignatius some relief for the sake of his flock. The peace ended quickly though and St. ignatius was taken from syria to rome and martyrd for the sake of his faith
The article Martyrium Ignatii is said to be an eye witness account of the death of St. Ignatius as well as the journey to his death.
Most of the content of his older letters is addressed to early christians on the topics of different church doctrines. and the are as follows:
The Church was Divinely established as a visible society, the salvation of souls is its end, and those who separate themselves from it cut themselves off from God
the hierarchy of the Church was instituted by Christ.
the threefold character of the hierarchy
the order of the episcopacy superior by Divine authority to that of the priesthood
the unity of the Church
the holiness of the Church
the catholicity of the Church
the infallibility of the Church
the doctrine of the Eucharist, which word we find for the first time applied to the Blessed Sacrament,
we meet for the first time the phrase "Catholic Church", used to designate all Christians
the Incarnation
the supernatural virtue of virginity, already much esteemed and made the subject of a vow
the religious character of matrimony
the value of united prayer
the primacy of the See of Rome