Ignatius of Antioch to the Philadelphians.

             Saint Ignatius of Antioch was one of the Apostolic Fathers of the Christian church. He was one of the few brave men who dared to challenge the conventional Roman religion accepted most widely at the time. Before being condemned to death by the Roman emperor Trajan, he wrote seven letters. These seven letters were addressed to the Christian communities of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Smyrna, Polycarp and Philadelphia. These letters provide information for the basis of many of the principles of the modern Catholic Church, as well as guidelines to the hierarchy of the clergymen. The letter to Philadelphia was just one of these informative letters.

             One of the issues addressed in his letter to the Philadelphians is his personal view on the church. Although not directly addressed, it is gathered that his opinion is that his church is the only church. He feels that anyone who in any way, shape or form deviates from the beliefs and routines of the original church, of which he was a founder, is a traitor. On must stay true to their church and their bishop. His opinions are even harsher for those religions that are almost completely different from Christianity, case in point, Judaism. St. Ignatius felt that if a Christian merely listened to what the Jews were preaching he was defying his own religion. How could anyone who does not accept Christ as his or her savior be a decent man? In addition to this, St. Ignatius feels that there should be only one Eucharist. There should only be one way in which the Christians symbolize taking the body and the blood of Christ.

             The ideal bishop, the bishop that every bishop should be is what St. Ignatius has in his mind. He feels that a bishop should only take his position out of his love and respect for God and his desire to spread God"s word. He should think not one second on the glory or the power that accompany his title.