St. Irenaeus “The Glory of God is Man Fully Alive” –Image: Patheos
(CNA) Born in Smyrna (Asia Minor — Modern Day Turkey Izmir) Irenaeus was a Bishop and Writer in what is present day France, he is best remembered for defending Christian orthodoxy, especially the reality of Jesus Christ’s human Incarnation against the set of heresies known as Gnosticism an ancient cult that believed in salvation by knowledge; Gnostics were people that believed that the faith taught in the Church was merely symbolism for the simple-minded that were unable to grasp difficult concepts.
Pope Benedict XVI spoke admiringly of Saint Irenaeus in March, 2007, recalling how this early Church Father, “refuted the Gnostic dualism and pessimism which debased corporeal realities. He (St. Irenaeus) decisively claimed the original holiness of matter, of the body, of the flesh no less than of the spirit but his works went far beyond the confutation of heresy: in fact one can say that he emerges as the first great Theologian who created systematic theology; he himself speaks of the system of theology, that is, of the internal coherence of all faith. At the heart of his doctrine is the question of the ‘Rule of Faith’ and its transmission. For Irenaeus the ‘Rule of Faith’ coincided in the practice with the ‘Apostles Creed’ which gives us the key for interpreting the Gospel, for interpreting the Creed in light of the Gospel. The Creed, which is a sort of Gospel synthesis , helps us understand what it means and how we should read the Gospel itself.”
While some of Saint Irenaeus most important writings have survived, the details of his life are not well preserved.
We do know that Saint Irenaeus became a Priest in served in the Church of Lyons during a difficult time in the late 170s During this time of state persecution and doctrinal controversy, Fr. Irenaeus was sent to Rome to provide Pope Saint Eleutherius with a letter about the heretical movement known as ‘Montanism’ — After returning to Lyons, Fr. Irenaeus, became the city’s second Bishop, following the Martyrdom of Saint Pothinus (Feast Day: 02 June)
Bishop Irenaeus refuted the ‘Gnostic’ errors in his concise book “Against Heresies’ which is still studied to this day for its historical value and theological insights.
Saint Irenaeus earthly life ended around 220, some have speculated that he was Martyred however as with his birth and youth, the details of his death are not definitively known.
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Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Visit: -USCCB