All we know of Ignatius is what he tells us in his letters, namely that he is a Christian from Antioch in Syria who has been condemned to be executed in the circus, to be destroyed by wild animals.
As always, I am looking forward to your further commentary. One of my colleagues suggested that the Church of Jerusalem and the Church of Rome set distinct patterns for church governance. Jerusalem presented that governance being divided between the apostles (later their successors, the episkopoi) and the presbyters, while in Rome, the governance was shared by the bishop and his deacons. Hence the importance of the rank of archdeacon in the western church, denoting that individual who would succeed to the episcopal throne upon the death of the incumbent. It came to pass that individuals known still as archdeacons were actually presbyters in the western churches, testifying to the importance of the diaconate in the early days.
"When I visit Rome, I fast on Saturday; when I am here [in Milan], I do not fast. On the same principle, observe the custom prevailing in whatever Church you come to, if you desire neither to give offense by your conduct, nor to find cause of offense in another’s." - St. Ambrose speaking to St. Augustine about the latter's mother (St. Monica) and her question about whether she should fast on Saturday like the North African church did or adopt the practices in Milan of not fasting on Saturday while staying with her son.
I also think there is plenty of room for devotional diversity within the core doctrines of the Church, but I do also love the idea of the Latin Mass, a mass that is in the same language and structure throughout the Catholic world. That was a beautiful thing. Hopefully it can be restored.
ATL, three cheers for your last paragraph. While I would rather the Church was more united, I do value that God has given us many ways through which we can worship. People are different, after all, and some approaches are more "at home" for some people than others.
Someday I hope you will do a commentary on Fulton J. Sheen's book, Life of Christ. Afterall Christ under lies all of Ignatius's work.
Florian, I will add this to my backlog. Thank you for the suggestion.
As always, I am looking forward to your further commentary. One of my colleagues suggested that the Church of Jerusalem and the Church of Rome set distinct patterns for church governance. Jerusalem presented that governance being divided between the apostles (later their successors, the episkopoi) and the presbyters, while in Rome, the governance was shared by the bishop and his deacons. Hence the importance of the rank of archdeacon in the western church, denoting that individual who would succeed to the episcopal throne upon the death of the incumbent. It came to pass that individuals known still as archdeacons were actually presbyters in the western churches, testifying to the importance of the diaconate in the early days.
Thank you, William. I always appreciate your feedback and comments.
"When I visit Rome, I fast on Saturday; when I am here [in Milan], I do not fast. On the same principle, observe the custom prevailing in whatever Church you come to, if you desire neither to give offense by your conduct, nor to find cause of offense in another’s." - St. Ambrose speaking to St. Augustine about the latter's mother (St. Monica) and her question about whether she should fast on Saturday like the North African church did or adopt the practices in Milan of not fasting on Saturday while staying with her son.
I also think there is plenty of room for devotional diversity within the core doctrines of the Church, but I do also love the idea of the Latin Mass, a mass that is in the same language and structure throughout the Catholic world. That was a beautiful thing. Hopefully it can be restored.
ATL, three cheers for your last paragraph. While I would rather the Church was more united, I do value that God has given us many ways through which we can worship. People are different, after all, and some approaches are more "at home" for some people than others.
As you say, "within the core doctrines."