St. Irenaeus Feast Day: June 28/August 23 Born: around 130 Died: around 200
St. Irenaeus was born to a Christian family in Asia Minor (present day Turkey). He was taught theology by St. Polycarp who had learned from St. John the Apostle. St. Irenaeus was among the first to teach key aspects of Christianity. He was first to use the term Apostolic Succession to explain the passing down of Holy Orders from the Apostles to the present-day pope, bishops, priests and deacons.
Irenaeus was a priest in what is now Lyons France during a difficult time. Several heresies challenged the teachings of Christ while at the same time, Roman authorities were severely persecuting Christians. While Irenaeus traveled to Rome to see the pope, Christians in Lyons were slaughtered, including the bishop. Irenaeus was named the 2nd bishop of Lyons, France.
Among Irenaeus’ works, was his famous Against Heresies. Until 1945, his work was the only surviving description of the false beliefs of Gnostics. Instead of a benevolent God whose creation is good, they believe that an evil creator made all material things which are evil including man and that all things spiritual are good. They believe that Jesus was merely human, starting out evil and only attained divinity through gnosis (knowledge of spiritual mysteries). Gnostics believe ignorance of the spirit realm is what is sinful therefore salvation comes from gaining knowledge of spiritual things. Instead of faithful reliance on salvation through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, they claim that they became sublime through enlightenment. Irenaeus taught how to detect heresy, “Myth seeks knowledge, God asks for constant faith.”
Though his book was meant to refute heresy, Irenaeus’ work became a great source for defining Christian theology. He reaffirmed the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, calling it the “Bread of Immortality” that consists of “two realities, earthly and heavenly.” Irenaeus is famous for teaching “recapitulation” where Jesus is the New Adam, undoing original sin. Just as a tree in the Garden of Eden brought about the fall of man, the Cross made from a tree brought about the salvation of man. Likewise, he taught that Mary is the New Eve due to her obedience to the will of God. Irenaeus demonstrated that the Church is the Garden of Eden, “planted as a paradise in this world” where we may eat from every tree, “that is, eat ye from every Scripture of the Lord.” He also defended the biblical canon of 4 Gospels, “the Church is the Gospel and the spirit of life, it is fitting that she should have four pillars, breathing out immortality at every side.”
He is believed to be a martyr, though events of his death are obscure. His body was buried under the Church of St. John, later renamed St. Irenaeus. Sadly, the church was destroyed in 1562 by Calvinists who fought Catholics during the French Wars of Religion.
The diocese in Lyons, France has dedicated the entire year of 2020 to St. Irenaeus. A movement was begun in 2019 to appeal to the Vatican to declare St. Irenaeus a Doctor of the Church. “Error never shows itself in its naked reality, in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than truth itself.” ~ St. Irenaeus