Bible Encyclopedias
Theophori

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Theophilus of the Indies

Next Entry
Theophylact

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

(θεοφόροι, God-bearers), a name assumed by some of the early Christians, signifying that they carried about with them the presence of God. St. Ignatius gives himself this title in his inscriptions to his epistles, both of which begin Ι᾿γνάτιος ὁ καὶ θεο φόρος; and explains his meaning in his dialogue with Trajan, "Theophorus is one that carries Christ in his heart." "Dost thou, then," said Trajan, "carry him that was crucified in thy heart?" Ignatius answered, "Yes; for it is written, ‘ I will dwell in them and walk in them.'" Anastasius Bibliothecarius, indeed, gives another reason why Ignatius was called Theophorus (θεόφορος, God-borne) because he was the child whom our Savior took and placed in the midst of his disciples, laying his hands upon him; and, therefore, the apostles would never presume to ordain him by imposition of hands after Christ. But, as bishop Pearson and others observe, this is a mere invention of the modern Greeks. Vincentius Bellovacensis and others advance this ridiculous reason: that Ignatius was so called because the name of Jesus Christ was found written in golden letters in his heart. ‘ But against these traditions we have the fact that the title was not peculiar to Ignatius, but common to all Christians. See Bingham, Christ. Antiq. bk. 1, ch. 1, § 4.