No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.



.....



The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God's side. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: "Come to the Father."



These passages are taken from the letter of Saint Ignatius of Antioch to the Romans, one of a collection he wrote to various churches as he was being taken from Antioch in Syria, where he was bishop in succession to Saint Peter, to Rome, where he was martyred under the Emperor Trajan c. 107. Saint Ignatius, zealous, fearless, and learned, whose memorial and feast is celebrated today, is one of the principal sources for our knowledge of the liturgical practices and daily life of the ancient church.



The Patriarchs of the Syriac Orthodox Church have for more than 500 years adopted the name of Ignatius preceding their own.