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Apostolic & Patristic · Saint
St Irenaeus of Lyon
Bishop of Lyon
Church FatherDoctor of the ChurchMartyr
c. 130 – c. 202
unknown
Ordained
177
Consecrated Bishop
Lyon
Diocese
France
Country
The Life
St Irenaeus, born in Smyrna and a hearer of St Polycarp, became Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyon) in Gaul around 177. He is the most important second-century theologian and a vital bridge between the apostolic tradition and the developing Church.
His great work 'Against Heresies' refuted Gnosticism and articulated the rule of faith, apostolic succession, and the authority of the four Gospels. Pope Francis declared him a Doctor of the Church in 2022 as 'Doctor of Unity.'
Notable Actions
- Wrote 'Against Heresies' (Adversus Haereses), the foundational refutation of Gnosticism
- Wrote the 'Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching'
- Articulated apostolic succession and the primacy of the Roman Church as the guarantee of orthodox tradition
- Urged Pope Victor toward peace in the Quartodeciman Easter dispute
- Declared Doctor of the Church ('Doctor unitatis') by Pope Francis, January 2022
The glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God.
Against Heresies, IV.20.7Portrait: Lucien Bégule / Wikimedia Commons