As for me, my spirit is all humble devotion to the Cross: the Cross which so greatly offends the unbelievers, but is salvation and eternal life to us. Where is your wise man now, or your subtle debater? Where are the fine words of our so-called intellectuals? Under the Divine dispensation, Jesus Christ our God was conceived by Mary of the seed of David and the Spirit of God; He was born, and He submitted to baptism, so that by His Passion He might sanctify water.Mary's virginity was hidden from the prince of this world; so was her child-bearing, and so was the death of the Lord. All these three trumpet-tongued secrets were brought to pass in the deep silence of God.
How then were they made known to the world?
Up in the heavens a star gleamed out, more brilliant than all the rest; no words could describe its lustre, and the strangeness of it left men bewildered. The other stars and the sun and moon gathered round it in chorus, but this star outshone them all. Great was the ensuing perplexity; where could this newcomer have come from, so unlike its fellows?
Everywhere magic crumbled away before it; the spells of sorcery were all broken, and superstition received its death-blow. The age-old empire of evil was overthrown, for God was now appearing in human form to bring in a new order, even life without end. Now that which had been perfected in the Divine counsels began its work; and all creation was thrown into a ferment over this plan for the utter destruction of death.
— Ignatios of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians
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Dear Romanos,
I love St. Ignatius! I love him for so many reasons. I love it that I have something in common with him! Listen to this introduction to "The Letters of St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch:" "A soul seething with the divine eros"-such is Chrysostom's description of Ignatius in his eulogy delivered on the martyr's feast in Antioch. It is an apt phrase, for more reasons than Chrysostom intended. There is a an impatience and a heat of excitement, which is more fittingly expressed by the classical eros than by the uniquely Christian agape. Ignatius himself is aware of his lack of gentleness and calm...In the light of these traits it is interesting to notice how struck Ignatius was by the bishops of Ephesus and Philadelphia. He saw in their modest and retiring character what was most lacking in his own. By their quietness they seemed the more effectual and, as bishops, were better able to mirror the divine nature which their office represented. God's essential character was that of silence-a silence broken only at the incarnation, and even then with reserve and modesty [Eph., ch. 19].
Yet, for all this, there is a nobility about this Oriental martyr. He can recognize his weakness, and he has grasped the central truth of the Christian gospel, incorporating it into his very life. He will suffer with Christ and so become a genuine disciple." ["I go to Rome to become a true disciple!"]
Reading these precious letters is a spiritual delight, "Heartiest greetings of pure joy in Jesus Christ..." he greets the Ephesians. Romanos, perhaps you could post some more?
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