THE FEAST OF ST. IRENAEUS OF LYON (JUNE 28TH)

  

A Contemporary Western Orthodox Icon of St. Irenaeus of Lyon

Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today, we celebrate the holy St. Irenaeus of Lyons (AD 130-202), who was bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, which is present-day Lyons, France. He was a disciple of Polycarp of Smyrna, who himself was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian. While still a young man, Irenaeus moved west to Lyons in southern France. In 177, Pothinus, the bishop of Gaul, sent him to Rome on a mission. During his absence, persecution broke out in Gaul, resulting in the deaths of most of the senior clergy in the Church there. When Irenaeus returned to Lyon, he was elected bishop by those who survived and consecrated by the old bishops, themselves descendent from the first generation of disciples of the Holy Apostles. St. Irenaeus’ principal work is called “The Refutation of Heresies,” which was a series of books that defends Orthodox Christianity against the false form of Christianity known as Gnosticism. He was the first writer to documents the Early Church’s view of Apostolic Succession, and his teaching is primarily concerned with continuity between Old and New Testaments and Christ as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. St. Irenaeus is remembered as a martyr, although the exact details of his death have been lost to time. His feast day in the West is June 28th, and in the East on August 23. 

The Martyrdom of St. Irenaeus

From Against the Heresies, Book III 

The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the gospel, and by them we also have learned the truth, that is, the teaching of the Son of God—as the Lord said to them, 'He who hears you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me, and Him Who sent Me' [Lk.10:16]. For we learned the plan of our salvation from no other than from those through whom the gospel came to us. The first preached it abroad, and then later by the will of God handed it down to us in Scriptures, to be the foundation and pillar of our faith. For it is not right to say that they preached before they had come to perfect knowledge, as some dare to say, boasting that they are the correctors of the apostles. For after our Lord had risen from the dead, and they were clothed with the power from on high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with all things and had perfect knowledge. They went out to the ends of the earth, preaching the good things that come to us from God, and proclaiming peace from heaven to all men, all and each of them equally being in possession of the gospel of God. 

A Contemporary Stained Glass of St. Irenaeus 

THE COLLECT

ALMIGHTY GOD, Who strengthened Thy servant St. Irenaeus to defend Thy truth against every blast of vain doctrine: Keep us, we pray Thee, steadfast in Thy true religion, that in constancy and peace we may walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

St. Irenaeus, Pray for Us!