The Epistles of Ignatius

I salute the holy presbytery. I salute the sacred deacons, and that person most dear to me,¹²⁵⁸ whom may I behold, through the Holy Spirit, occupying my place when I shall attain to Christ. My soul be in place of his. I salute the sub-deacons, the readers, the singers, the doorkeepers, the labourers,¹²⁵⁹ the exorcists, the confessors.¹²⁶⁰ I salute the keepers of the holy gates, the deaconesses in Christ. I salute the virgins betrothed to Christ, of whom may I have joy in the Lord Jesus.¹²⁶¹ I salute the people of the Lord, from the smallest to the greatest, and all my sisters in the Lord.