Irenaeus was born in Asia (Turkey) between 115-142 AD and he died ca. 202. While young, he had seen and heard bishop Polycarp (d. 155) at Smyrna. During persecutions under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Irenaeus was a priest (maybe already the bishop?) in Lyon (France). His bishop Photinus (already in prison?) send him to Rome in 177/178 with a letter for Pope Eleutherius regarding Montanism, an excitable charismatic movement.Upon his return to Lyon, Irenaeus succeeded the martyred Pothinus as bishop (if he was not already appointed bishop before). He worked as a pastor, a missionary and a writer – mostly against Gnosticism that was creating troubles for the Church in France and elsewhere.
In 190/191, Irenaeus pleaded with Pope Victor (189-198) to lift the excommunication of the Churches in Asia Minor because they stuck to celebrating Easter according to the lunar calendar. Irenaeus pointed to the gracious discussions in the past between Anicetus and Polycarp, and how their different views did not lead to a breakdown of the Christian communion. [Fr Jos Strengholt]
This Friday 9 November, at the Parsonage at van Hogendorpstraat 26, we are looking at “On the Apostolic Preaching” by Irenaeus of Lyon. On the evening we will each receive a copy of the text. Fr Strengholt will give us a background on Irenaeus and this work and then guide us in our reading of the text.
We begin with dinner at 6:30pm and turn to the discussion at 8:00 pm. If you intend to come to the supper please let us know so we can prepare enough. Please let David Vollmer know if you are coming so we can prepare enough materials and also if you intend to come for supper beforehand so we know how many meals to prepare for: office@holytrinityutrecht.nl