Irenaeus 			June 28
Bishop of Lyons, Teacher of the Faith
Irenaeus was a great Biblical theologian who, in the theological confusion of the second century, clarified a number of issues relating to the understanding of the church about the gospel.
Irenaeus was born about 130 in Asia Minor, where, as he was proud to say, he had listened to Bishop Polycarp, who himself had heard the apostles. So Irenaeus felt he had some claim to know the true apostolic tradition. We next meet Irenaeus as a presbyter in the church in Lyons. When Bishop Pothinus perished in a local persecution in 177, Irenaeus was chosen as his successor.
Two small incidents indicate that Irenaeus lived up to the irenical spirit of his name. He adopted a mediatorial and reconciling role both in disputes over the revivalist movement led by Montanus and in the acrimonious debates in Rome between the Roman church and Christian leaders from Asia Minor over the date of Easter.
To the Gnostics, however, Irenaeus gave no encouragement. In his view their ideas were a perversion of the gospel. His major surviving work, Against Heresies, is a lengthy and thorough refutation of their teachings, together with an account of what he considers to be the true apostolic gospel.
The basic human experience underlying Gnosticism is a sense of radical alienation from the world. The world is an evil place, the result of a cosmic disaster, and designed to entrap and subdue the spiritual beings of light. The elaborate mythology that conveyed this message and the “salvation” from it sometimes saw Christ as the saviour figure who brings the message of salvation to those trapped in this world and enlightens them.
In response, Irenaeus stresses the goodness of creation and emphasises the links between God as creator and the same God as redeemer. He sees Christ as the pattern of our original formation and ultimate fulfilment. Irenaeus’ theology has a historical sweep to it that depicts a human progression from creation, through prophetic revelation, incarnation, saving message in the church, to final glory, when humanity will be truly manifested “in the image and likeness of God”. Irenaeus insists that this tradition is the substance of the apostolic preaching and teaching, which is supported by the Scriptures and guaranteed by the episcopal succession in the church. Irenaeus’ work did much to clarify the authentic apostolic tradition. He died about the year 200.
For Liturgical Use
Irenaeus was born about 130 in Asia Minor and became bishop of Lyons in 177. He adopted a conciliatory stance in the disputes over Montanism and over the date of Easter, but devoted enormous energy to refuting Gnosticism. Against the gnostic dualism, Irenaeus set the apostolic tradition and teaching of God as both creator and redeemer, at work in human history for our ultimate fulfilment. Irenaeus died about the year 200.
Sentence
What are we mortals, O Lord, that you should be mindful of us? You have made us little less than divine, and crowned us with glory and honour.	Psalm 8:4,5
Collects
Gracious God,
the source of all true peace,
you gave to your servant Irenaeus
gifts of leadership and insight to guide your church;
keep us steadfast in the truth,
respecting the created order
as the work of your hands,
and growing in grace,
till we attain the fullness of our humanity
in Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Jesus, true word of God,
you sent Irenaeus the peacemaker
to a persecuted and puzzled church;
give us his skill, we pray,
to correct those who are in error
and to comfort those who have been ill-treated.
Psalms	4	11
Readings
Malachi 2:4-7		A covenant of life and peace
Ephesians 1:17-23		Our hope
John 16:25-33		Peace in Christ
Post Communion Sentence
This is the mystery of God’s will: to gather up all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. 		Ephesians 1:9,10 (adapted)