Irenaeus
2nd-century Greek bishop and Doctor of the Church · Turkey · Academics · Lived 130 to 202 · aged 72
Irenaeus is read about 996 times a day, in 64 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 390 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A second-century bishop who drew the line. Irenaeus decided which gospels counted, built the case for apostolic succession, and spent his career dismantling Gnostic Christianity before it could fracture the church into competing mystery cults.
A life in dates
Also in Deutsch
Photos 2
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In their own words 3
, It is not necessary to seek truth among others which it is easy to obtain from the Church.
Wherefore also Luke, commencing the genealogy with the Lord, carried it back to Adam, indicating that it was He who regenerated them into the Gospel of life, and not they Him.
The business of the Christian is nothing else than to be ever preparing for death
About this person
Born in Smyrna, Irenaeus heard Polycarp preach - who himself had heard John the Evangelist - placing him two degrees from the source. Chosen as Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyon) in present-day France, he guided Christian communities through southern Gaul while Gnostic sects claiming secret wisdom threatened to redefine the faith. Around 180 he wrote Against Heresies, a systematic takedown of Gnosticism, particularly the teachings of Valentinus. Against claims of hidden knowledge, he offered three pillars: scripture, apostolic tradition, and the teaching of the apostles' successors. He became the earliest surviving voice to insist all four now-canonical gospels were essential. Pope Francis named him a Doctor of the Church in 2022.
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