On January 2, the Christian world celebrates the day of memory of the holy martyr Ignatius the God-bearerwho accepted death for the sake of Jesus Christ and thereby saved other Christians from execution.

According to the legend, the Savior appeared to Ignatius as a child, after which the boy began to pray ceaselessly and glorify his name in his speeches. Later, he became a disciple of John the Theologian and later took the place of the bishop of Antioch. Each time during his sermon, he strengthened the souls of believers, urging them not to be afraid of death and shame from the pagans.

When the emperor Trajan won the victory over the Scythians, he ordered sacrifices to be made to the pagan gods. But Ignatius refused to obey this order, so he was sent to Rome to be executed in the circus arena.

After the beasts tore the saint’s body apart, his heart remained intact and had the inscription “Jesus Christ” on its inner surface. Then many believers claimed that the holy martyr came to them in a dream to reassure and show the truth of the Christian faith.