St. Ignatius of Antioch
Oct 17
Patron Saint of the Church in Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa
Ignatius, born in Syria, converted to Christianity at a young age, and was thought to be a disciple of St. John the Evangelist.
He is one of the five Apostolic Church Fathers, who were instructed personally by Christ’s apostles.
An early tradition has it that he was the child that Our Lord took up in his arms, as recorded by St Mark: “And taking a child, he set him in the midst of them. Whom when he had embraced, he saith to them: Whosoever shall receive one such child as this in my name, receiveth me (9:35-36).