St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–108 AD), also known as Ignatius Theophorus ("God-bearing"), was the third bishop of Antioch and a prominent early Christian writer and martyr. He was a disciple of the Apostle John and is venerated as an Apostolic Father across Catholic and Orthodox. During his 107–110 AD transport to Rome for execution under Emperor Trajan, Ignatius wrote seven epistles to various churches (Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, Smyrna) and to Polycarp.