June 28, 2008: St. Irenaeus of Lyons
At St. Paul’s Parish today, Saturday, June 28, 2008:
- Free Farmers’ Market at 10:00 a.m. (in the Dining Room).
The June issue of St. Paul’s Sword of the Spirit, our monthly newsletter, is available on line, as is the calendar of parish events for June 2008
Today’s news in the Episcopal Church - Episcopal Life Online.
On the calendar tomorrow, June 29, 2008:
- Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m.;
- Nursery Opens at at 9:15 a.m.
- Holy Eucharist with Hymns at 9:30 a.m.;
- Children’s Story Time at 9:30 a.m.;
- Celtic Eucharist at 5:30 p.m.
Today the Episcopal Church commemorates St. Irenaeus of Lyons. The following paragraphs are the introduction of James Kiefer’s hagiography found on the website of the Society of Archbishop Justice:
Irenaeus (pronounced ear-a-NAY-us) was probably born around 125. As a young man in Smyrna (near Ephesus, in what is now western Turkey) he heard the preaching of Polycarp, who as a young man had heard the preaching of the Apostle John. Afterward, probably while still a young man, Polycarp moved west to Lyons in southern France. In 177, Pothinus, the bishop of Lyons, sent him on a mission to Rome. During his absence a severe persecution broke out in Lyons, claiming the lives of the bishop and others (see 2 June). When Irenaeus returned to Lyons, he was made bishop. He died around 202. He is thus an important link between the apostolic church and later times, and also an important link between Eastern and Western Christianity.
His principal work is the Refutation of Heresies, a defense of orthodox Christianity against its Gnostic rivals. A shorter work is his Proof of the Apostolic Preaching, a brief summary of Christian teaching, largely concerned with Christ as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. An interesting bit of trivia about this latter book is that it is … the first Christian writing to refer to the earth as a sphere.
Lesser Feasts and Fasts includes the following collect for St. Irenaeus’ commemoration:
Almighty God, you upheld your servant Irenaeus with strength to maintain the truth against every blast of vain doctrine: Keep us, we pray, steadfast in your true religion, that in constancy and peace we may walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Posted: June 28th, 2008 under Calendar of Events, Christian Education, Daily Prayer, Episcopal Church, Outreach, Saints, Worship.
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