1. Martyrdom & Self-Definition 1.Ignatius of Antioch. 2.Seminar: Ignatius’s Letter to the Romans. 3.Persecutions & martyrdom in the 20 th century. 4.Letter to Diognetus. Crucifixion of St Peter. Filippino Lippi, Brancacci chapel, Florence, 15 th c

2. St. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 AD) Bishop of Antioch Composed 7 letters on his way from Syria to Rome Sentenced to be devoured by wild beasts in the reign of emperor Trajan Major points of his letter to Christians in Rome

3. Possible Route of Ignatius’s Journey to Rome via Smyrna & Troas Letters to Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles Rome Letters to Philadelphia, Smyrna & Polycarp

4. Ignatius, Romans. 1.According to introduction, who was Ignatius? 2.In his opening greeting, how does Ignatius refer to the church of Rome? Do his words suggest anything about the status of the church of Rome? 3.Why and under what circumstances was Ignatius going to Rome ? 4.What did he ask the Christians in Rome to do for him? 5.What did Ignatius expect to accomplish by his death? 6.What images does he use to describe his future martyrdom? 7.How is Ignatius’s attitude to martyrdom different or/ and similar from Polycarp’s (consult previous worksheet)?

5. Giant image of Kim Il-sung, the father of Kim Jong Il

6. Modern martyrs

7. Anon., Letter to Diognetus 1. What does Diognetus, the addressee of the letter, want to know about Christians? 2. What features of Christianity made Diognetus curious? 3. According to the author, what is the fundamental problem with pagan religions? 4. What does the author think about Judaism? 5. Describe in your own words the author’s understanding of the presence and role of Christians in the non-Christian world (chap. 5-6) 6. In contrast to other teachings, what is Christianity based upon? (chap. 7)