In the world, Ivan, born in the city of Stara Zagora, was likely Bulgarian. His parents, Georgi and Maria, moved to Plovdiv. From childhood, he was distinguished by piety and spent 6 years in the Rila Monastery under the guidance of Hieromonk Ignatius, a former robber who became a monk.
After returning to Plovdiv, his father was killed for refusing to fight against his brothers in faith, and his mother and sisters were forcibly converted to Islam. Ivan hid with an old woman but was betrayed by his sisters. He spent some time in Bucharest, then went to Mount Athos, where he met an acquaintance who had converted to Islam, which greatly distressed Ivan. He was captured by the Turks and, frightened, also promised to convert to Islam.
At Athos, after visiting various monasteries, he decided to suffer for Christ to atone for his sin of cowardice. Elder Akakios tonsured him as a monk with the name Ignatius and blessed him for martyrdom.
On September 29, 1814, Ignatius arrived in Constantinople. After communion, he changed into Turkish clothing and at the court session confessed Christ, refusing his promise. The judge urged him to change his mind, but Ignatius boldly reproached Islam. He was imprisoned, where he was tortured, but remained steadfast. On October 8, 1814, he was hanged.
Three days later, Monk Gregory redeemed his relics, and on October 20, he brought them to Athos, where they were placed in the new church in the skete of St. John the Baptist. The honorable head of St. Ignatius is in the Russian Monastery of St. Panteleimon on Athos, and parts of his relics are kept in the skete of St. John the Baptist and in the Iberian Monastery.
