Who was Ignatius of Antioch?

Ignatius was bishop of Antioch around AD 100 and a student of the Apostle John. He was taken to Rome to be martyred; our Martyrdom of Ignatius dates his condemnation to the ninth year of the emperor Trajan.

How many letters did Ignatius of Antioch write?

Seven. He wrote them on his way to martyrdom in Rome: the Epistle to the Ephesians, to the Magnesians, to the Trallians, to the Romans, to the Philadelphians, to the Smyrnaeans, and the Epistle to Polycarp.

What are the short, long and Syriac versions of his letters?

The short version is the one accepted as Ignatius's own words. The long version is a later expansion with material added by another hand, and the Syriac is an abridgment of three letters (Ephesians, Romans and Polycarp). All three are on this page, plus The Martyrdom of Ignatius; quote the short version.

What language did Ignatius write in?

Greek. The texts here are the complete English translations from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, each with narrated audio.

Where can I read the letters of Ignatius for free?

Right here. Every letter opens in full, free, with no sign-up, and you can listen to it read aloud.

Church Father · c. 98–117 AD

Ignatius of Antioch: Letters & Writings

18 works

Ignatius of Antioch was bishop of Antioch around AD 100 and a student of the Apostle John. On his way to martyrdom in Rome he wrote seven letters: to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians and Smyrnaeans, and to Polycarp. Read all seven here free in the short version accepted as his own, with narrated audio.

Start reading — The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Short Version)

The Works of Ignatius of Antioch

Every work below is here in full — the complete English text, free to read without an account. Narrated audio with word highlighting is available for some works and sections; audio coverage is not complete for every work.

Common questions about Ignatius of Antioch

Who was Ignatius of Antioch?: Ignatius was bishop of Antioch around AD 100 and a student of the Apostle John. He was taken to Rome to be martyred; our Martyrdom of Ignatius dates his condemnation to the ninth year of the emperor Trajan.
How many letters did Ignatius of Antioch write?: Seven. He wrote them on his way to martyrdom in Rome: the Epistle to the Ephesians, to the Magnesians, to the Trallians, to the Romans, to the Philadelphians, to the Smyrnaeans, and the Epistle to Polycarp.
What are the short, long and Syriac versions of his letters?: The short version is the one accepted as Ignatius's own words. The long version is a later expansion with material added by another hand, and the Syriac is an abridgment of three letters (Ephesians, Romans and Polycarp). All three are on this page, plus The Martyrdom of Ignatius; quote the short version.
What language did Ignatius write in?: Greek. The texts here are the complete English translations from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, each with narrated audio.
Where can I read the letters of Ignatius for free?: Right here. Every letter opens in full, free, with no sign-up, and you can listen to it read aloud.

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Ignatius of Antioch: Letters & Writings

The Works of Ignatius of Antioch

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians

Epistle to the Magnesians

Epistle to the Trallians

Epistle to the Romans

Epistle to the Philadelphians

Epistle to the Smyrnaeans

Epistle to Polycarp

Epistle to Polycarp

Epistle to the Ephesians

Epistle to the Romans

The Martyrdom of Ignatius

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians

Epistle to the Magnesians

Epistle to the Trallians

Epistle to the Romans

Epistle to the Philadelphians

Epistle to the Smyrnaeans

Epistle to Polycarp

Common questions about Ignatius of Antioch

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