The Church today commemorates the removal of the relics of Ignatius the God-bearer.
St. Ignatius was a disciple of St. John the Theologian, and a successor of the Apostles. He became the second Bishop of Antioch. St. Ignatius wrote many epistles to the faithful, strengthening them in their confession, and preserving for us the teachings of the holy Apostles. Brought to Rome under the Emperor Trajan, he was surrendered to lions, and so finished the course of martyrdom in the year 107. The remnants of his bones were carefully gathered by the faithful and brought to Antioch.