Ignatius’s next letter is a little unique compared to the others. Letter to the Romans is written to the Christians of Rome who he has not met yet. The previous letters, and letters to come, are all written to either Churches or bishops Ignatius has already met or conversed with through representatives, but this letter is written in preparation for the Romans he will be meeting. In this letter Ignatius frequently compares himself to Christ by using eucharistic imagery and sharing in martyrdom. While Ignatius is coming from a place of confidence and passion in his mission the letter reads as a dark acceptance of one's fate. In the beginning of the letter Ignatius encourages the Romans not to save him from his martyrdom. Ignatius truly believes that the only way he can achieve oneness and fullness in the Lord is to die a…show more content… To the Romans he says, “Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but truly will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really be found to be one. For if I be truly found a Christian, I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world.” (104) Ignatius feels that the only way for him to embody the perfect Christian is to die like Christ himself. Without being forthright Ignatius is comparing himself to Christ through their shared martyrdom and other eucharistic imagery. Like the image of Christ’s body turning into bread Ignatius compares his body to being eaten like bread by the wild beast of the Coliseum, “Allow me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.” (104) In a part that stands out Ignatius says that he hope the wild beasts rush upon him and devour him
