Q: Ignatius, the second bishop of Antioch has written several letters to various churches. One letter is to church of Rome. In that letter, where is the significance of Rome expressed? Ignatius has written a letter to Rome. Does it show the authority of Antioch over Rome?
A: The significance of Rome is expressed here: "Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that wills all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father: to those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, * abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus Christ our God.
I will not repeat the opening remarks of St. Ignatius in his letters to the other churches, but to none of them does he heap praises as he does the Romans. Amidst all the other worthy notes he attributes to the Romans he mentions that they *preside *over love. A casual reading of this letter without the context we have presented might permit one to pass over this expression unnoticed. But to the Christian steeped in an oral tradition that recognizes the significance of this church at Rome, it stands out in contrast to all of the other churches to whom Ignatius wrote. This is not idle prattle, or the flattery of a sycophant. Rather it is a significant concession by the bishop of Antioch, where St. Peter also labored, admitting that in some respect the Roman church stands guard as a president, to preserve the Gospel of Christ which results in love. In addition to this, he attributes to them the continued faith which has spread round the world in St. Paul’s day as to the faithful retention of apostolic doctrine, in admiring that they were “purified from every strange tint.”
If one should wish to challenge the preface of St. Ignatius’ letter to the Romans, it would be understandable. It is not impossible that this is a later addition. But what seems most notable of all is, if the Church at Antioch was the residence of the Keys of St. Peter, how St. Ignatius makes no reference to them.
My position is that the doctrine of the papacy developed over the centuries. I don’t think it would have been clearly understood at the time we are speaking of. But there are many hints that point in the direction of the later developments as being accurate. From the beginnings, (see below) there is clearly more importance attached to the Roman church than its location at the head of the Empire.
Q: In the St. Paul’s letter to Romans in the Gospel, where is the importance of Roman church expressed?
A: Here: Romans 1:7, 8: "To all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First I give thanks to my God, through Jesus Christ, for you all, because your faith is spoken of in the whole world."
Already, before St. Paul had even visited the city, the Roman church was reknowned throughout the Christian world for its faith in a special way which makes the Apostle give thanks. The epistle to the Romans, unlike that to the other churches, begins with this unique greeting, a theological treatise, a practical application of the theology, and a salutation. Nowhere is there a hint of disapprobation from the Apostle who is never shy of mentioning faults to be found in the churches to whom he addresses his letters. I would note that the passage says not “your faith is written about in the whole world.” No, this is an oral, spoken tradition that was becoming common among all Christians even before St. Paul’s first visit to Rome and it is recorded in inspired Scripture that we might know that it is no historical redaction but a genuine belief in the Christian world of a certain prominence for the church built in the capital of the Empire.
2) Romans 16:17-19: "All the churches of Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not Christ our Lord, but their own belly; and by pleasing speeches and good words, seduce the hearts of the innocent. For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you."
After assuring the Romans that every Christian church salutes the Roman church, he explains why. “For your obedience is published in every place.” Again, this would not necessarily be in written form. I would suggest it is again, an oral tradition that took root in “all the churches of Christ”, “in the whole world”. It is a unique commendation from St. Paul indicating that every church in the world is already looking Romeward at a time when there isn’t a great deal of written communication. St. Paul isn’t in the habit of “buttering up” his readers by telling them things that aren’t true. It is not difficult therefore to suggest that if there are no extant documents pointing to the pre-eminence of Rome now, there was during the times of St. Irenaeus a continuance of significant traditions. These are mentioned by St. Paul in Scripture as being spread abroad, most likely by word of mouth, regarding a distinctive obedience and faith in the Roman church.*
You may find this article helpful regarding Roman primacy as viewed by the Orthodox:
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