of you all in the person of Damas, your bishop® and a man of
IGNATIUS TO THE MAGNESIANS
Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the Church at Magnesia by the Maeander, a church blessed with the grace of God the Father through Jesus Christ our Savior, in whom I salute her. Heartiest greetings and good wishes to her in*
God the Father and in Jesus Christ.
1. When I learned of your well-ordered? God-inspired love, I was jubilant and decided to have a chat with you in the spirit of the faith in* Jesus Christ. 2 I am privileged to bear a name* radiant with divine splendor, and so in the chains which I carry about on me, I sing the praises of the Churches and pray for union in their midst, a union based on the flesh and spirit ° of Jesus Christ, our enduring life; a union based on faith and love—the greatest blessing; ° and, most especially, a union with Jesus and the Father.' If in this union we patiently endure all the abuse of the Prince of this world and escape unscathed, we shall happily make our way to God.* 2. Now, then, it has been my privilege to have a glimpse of you all in the person of Damas, your bishop® and a man of God, and in the persons of your worthy presbyters Bassus and Apollonius, and of my fellow servant," the deacon Zotion.
Would that I might enjoy the latter's company!
He is obedient to the bishop as** to the grace of God, and to the presbyters as to the law of Jesus Christ.
3. But for you, too, it is fitting not to take advantage of