The Epistle of Ignatius to the
Virgin Mary
Her friend Ignatius to the
Christ-bearing Mary.
Thou oughtest to have comforted
and consoled me who am a neophyte, and a disciple of thy [beloved] John. For I
have heard things wonderful to tell respecting thy [son] Jesus, and I am
astonished by such a report. But I desire with my whole heart to obtain
information concerning the things which I have heard from thee, who wast always
intimate and allied with Him, and who wast acquainted with [all] His secrets. I
have also written to thee at another time, and have asked thee concerning the
same things. Fare thou well; and let the neophytes who are with me be comforted
of thee, and by thee, and in thee. Amen.
Reply of the Blessed Virgin to
This Letter.
The lowly handmaid of Christ
Jesus to Ignatius, her beloved fellow-disciple.
The things which thou hast heard
and learned from John concerning Jesus are true. Believe them, cling to them,
and hold fast the profession of that Christianity which thou hast embraced, and
conform thy habits and life to thy profession. Now I will come in company with
John to visit thee, and those that are with thee. Stand fast in the faith, and
show thyself a man; nor let the fierceness of persecution move thee, but let
thy spirit be strong and rejoice in God thy Saviour. Amen.
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