now has God for her Shepherd in my stead. Jesus Christ
Icnatius oF ANTIOCH your own wishes, too, may be fulfilled. 2 By this short letter
I beseech you: do believe me! Jesus Christ will make it clear to you that I speak the truth—He on whose lips there are no lies, through whom the Father has spoken truthfully. 3 Pray for me that I may succeed. What I write to you does not please the appetites of the flesh, but it pleases the mind of God. If I suffer, you have loved me; if I am rejected, you have hated me!
9. Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now has God for her Shepherd in my stead. Jesus Christ alone will be her Bishop, together with your love."
2 For myself, I am ashamed to be counted as one of her members.
I certainly do not deserve to be one, being the least of them and one that came to birth unexpectedly. However, if I but make my way to God, then by His mercy I shall be someone.
3 My spirit salutes you, and so does the affection of the Churches that offered their hospitality to me, not as to a chance visitor, but in deference to Jesus Christ.
Why, even those not adjoining my route—the route by which my body travelled—hastened in advance from town after town to meet me.
10. I am sending* you this letter from Smyrna through the kindness of the Ephesians, who deserve so much praise.
Among many others Crocus is here with me—a dearly beloved name to me! 2 As to the men from Syria who for the glory of God have gone to Rome to meet you there, you have, I trust, made their acquaintance. Please, inform them also that I am near. One and all they are men of God and will be an honor to you. You will do well to give them every comfort.
3 I am writing this to you on the 24th of August. Farewell to the end in the patient endurance" of Jesus Christ.