Martyrdom, Sacrificial Libation, and the Eucharist of Ignatius of Antioch

Frederick G. Klawiter argues that in Ignatius’ eucharist, a wine libation symbolized the pouring out of Jesus’ blood in his sacrificial death. By drinking from the libation cup in the eucharist/agape meal, Christians sought unity of agape with one another and the crucified, risen Jesus--while anticipating the possibility of martyrdom.

Fred Klawiter was formerly an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a professor in the department of religion, philosophy, and classics at Augustana University (Sioux Falls, South Dakota).