Stand firm in your place with all bodily and spiritual care, maintain unity, which is better than anything else. Bear with all, as the Lord bears with you; forgive all in love, endure the illnesses of all like a good athlete. If you love good disciples, you will not receive praise from that; rather, subdue the infected with gentleness. Let assemblies be as frequent as possible, and invite everyone by name. Strive together, fight together, gather together, feel together, fall asleep together, and rise together like God's stewards, God's family, God's servants.
(Ignatius of Antioch /† 107/, letter to his friend, Bishop Polycarp)
