St. Irenaeus of Lyons
c. 130-202
📅 Feast Day: June 3
📖 Life Timeline
Unknown
Born in c. 130
Unknown
Died — 202
Pre-
Canonized — Pre-Tridentine
✝ Biography
IRENAEUS of LYONS (St) Bp. M.
R.M. June 28 c.125-c.202: A native of Asia Minor and a disciple of St Polycarp, who was a pupil of St John the Apostle. He migrated to Gaul, and became bishop of Lyons (¢.177). Tradition adds that he was a martyr, but
THE BOOK
of this we have no proof. St Irenaeus is the first great ecclesiastical writer of the West. His work against Gnosticism is a witness to the apostolic tradition, derived from St John: in it we find already a testi- mony to the primacy of the Roman see.
Cf. Att. — Baud. — Duch. Fast. Episc.
IRENAEUS and MUSTIOLA (SS) MM. R.M. July 3 d. 273. Irenaeus, a deacon, and Mustiola, a noble lady, were martyred at Chiusi in Tuscany under Aurelian for ha
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: The Diocese of Lyons, theologians, and those who defend orthodox doctrine against heresy.
💬 Words of the Saint
The glory of God is a living man, and the life of man consists in the vision of God.
📜 Key Facts
Born
c. 130
Died
202
Feast Day
June 3
Canonized
Pre-Tridentine
🕊 Legacy
Irenaeus's 'Against Heresies' is the most important anti-Gnostic text of the ancient Church. His insistence on the four Gospels shaped the New Testament canon. His concept of recapitulation influenced Athanasius, Maximus the Confessor, and modern theologians like Karl Rahner. He is one of the earliest Doctors of the Western Church.
📜 Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words — their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
📖 Against Heresies
On the Glory of God
The glory of God is a living man; but man's life is the vision of God. Therefore, the Church, being dispersed among the nations, yet preserves and hands down to us what she has received in one faith. She dwells as if in one dwelling, and fills it with one faith and hope.
— St. Irenaeus of Lyons
📖 Against Heresies
On the Unity of the Church
Where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God; and where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church and every grace. The Church, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith.
— St. Irenaeus of Lyons
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