Hierarch
Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
August 23 Old CalendarSeptember 5 New Calendar
Life
In his youth he was a disciple of Saint Polycarp, that disciple of the Apostles, who sent him to Gaul to preach. After the martyric death of Saint Pothinus, Irenaeus was appointed bishop. In his numerous writings, Irenaeus at one time set forth the Orthodox faith and at another defended it against heretics. He suffered for Christ in the time of Emperor Severus, in the year 202, together with many thousands of Christians (nineteen thousand).
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, August 23. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on August 23
The full reading for August 23 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open August 23 in the reader