A disciple of John the Baptist, Ignatius was appointed by St. Peter as the second bishop of Antioch, Syria at 17 years old. In 57 AD, Emperor Trajan personally condemned him to martyrdom in the colosseum of Rome. HIs final weeks were spent in chains, transported across the empire to the capitol. He famously wrote seven letters on the way to the Churches he passed through, building them up and begging them not to hinder his martyrdom.