Gospel in Art: Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, by Cesare Fracanzano, 1640, oil on canvas © Galleria Borghese, Rome

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 17 October 2025
Luke 12:1-7

At that time: When so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

'I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the early Church Father, Bishop, and martyr Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Born in Syria in the middle of the 1st century, Ignatius is said to have been personally instructed (along with another future martyr, Saint Polycarp) by the Apostle John. When Ignatius became the Bishop of Antioch around the year 70, he assumed leadership of a local church that was, according to tradition, first led by Saint Peter before his move to Rome. Located in present-day Turkey, Antioch was one of the main cities of the Roman Empire. It was also the place where the believers in Jesus' teachings and His resurrection were first called 'Christians'.

Ignatius' letters passionately talk about the importance of Church unity, the dangers of heresy, and the importance of the Eucharist as the 'medicine of immortality'. His writings contain the first surviving written description of the Church as "Catholic," from the Greek word indicating both universality and fullness.

About his impending martyrdom he wrote: "Now I begin to be a disciple. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ."

St. Ignatius of Antioch bore witness to Christ publicly for the last time in Rome's Flavian Amphitheater, where is was mauled to death by lions. We see this moment depicted in our painting by Neapolitan artist Cesare Fracanzano (1605-1651). His worn mitre is depicted to the bottom left. The artists captures the horrific moment, yet Ignatius is casting his eyes towards heaven, filled with faith and resolve.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-12-1-7-2025/