Saint Irenaeus
(Greek: peaceful)
Martyr, Father of the Church, Bishop of Lyons, born Proconsular Asia, 130; died Lyons, France, 202.
Instructed by Saint Polycarp, he became a priest at Lyons; in 177 he was sent on a mission to Rome; succeeded to the See of Lyons; and made many converts.
Most of his writings are directed against Gnosticism which was then prevalent throughout Gaul; his relation to Saint Polycarp, the disciple of Saint John, gave greater importance to his works.
Head in Saint John's church, Lyons.
Feast, Roman Calendar, 28 June.
New Catholic Dictionary
