Orthodox Icon of St. Irenaeus of Lyons

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August 23rd
Troparion (Tone 4)
Thou hast shown thyself, O God inspired Irenaeus as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity, O star of the universe and companion of Bishops, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Therefore, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

St. Irenaeus was a student of St. Polycarp in his youth. He was ordained by him and sent to Gaul (France) to preach the Gospel and assist another of Polycarp's disciples, St. Pothinus. Pothinus was the first Bishop of Lyons. After his martyrdom, Irenaeus was made Bishop. He was a staunch defender of the Faith against heretics. He wrote many treatises expounding Orthodox faith. He was martyred along with 19,000 others in 202 under Emperor Severus. His tablet reads: "Therefore we will see to it that it will not be our fault if some are snatched away like sheeps by wolves whom they would fail to recognize because of the treachery of the sheepskin."

This Icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas. It is one of the "cloud of witnesses" at St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church in Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Order # phn-28