Irenaeus

ON SAINT IRENAEUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR OF SIRMIUM IN PANNONIA, UNDER DIOCLETIAN.

Preliminary Commentary.

Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr of Sirmium in Pannonia (S.)

[1] A not inconsiderable part of Lower Pannonia, which we call Rascia, is that territory which is intercepted by the channels of the Danube and Save rivers running together toward the East, and distinguished by the title of County, Bishop of Sirmium, and is called Sirmiensis, from a city of ancient nobility situated on the river Bozzota, which not long after pours into the wider channel of the Save: whose ruins the Germans call Sirmich: and that its extent reached almost to the Save itself is evident from the Acts we are about to present, where the body of Saint Hyrenaeus (for thus almost all the ancient Latin manuscripts have it, some also Herenius) but by his true name Irenaeus, beheaded on the bridge spanning the Bozzota, is said to have been thrown into the Save. Saint Irenaeus the Martyr. By this martyrdom Sirmium was made more noble than by the births of three Emperors, or by the prerogative of the dignity added afterward over the other cities of all Illyricum, including even the Pannonias in their broader sense. For the heresiarch Photinus shamefully defiled this city, condemned even by his own Arians at the Sirmian Council in the presence of the Arian Emperor Constantius: indeed, on account of having publicly received the impiety of Arius, the city seems to have merited being devastated by Attila, King of the Huns, and losing the dignity of metropolis; which passed first to Thessalonica, and then was attributed by the Emperor Justinian to Prima Justiniana.

[2] Moreover, the martyrdom of Bishop Irenaeus was celebrated in the Churches of the West as well as of the East: venerated by the Greeks on August 23: since his name is found in all the sacred calendars of both: but not all on the same day or month. For the Greeks consistently report his eulogy at August 23, both in the printed Menaia and in manuscript Synaxaries of the Abbey of Grottaferrata, the Claromontane College, the Mazarin Library, and the Convent of the Reformed Dominican Fathers at Paris, the last of which again recalls him on the 28th: and all recite this eulogy for him: "This Saint was Bishop of Sirmium under Diocletian, and having been arrested was taken from Sirmium to Pannonia (Paeonia is incorrectly found in the printed editions) and presented to the Governor Probus: before whom, confessing and proclaiming the faith which is in Christ our true God, he was thrown into prison; then beaten, and finally having received his sentence, he was beheaded and thrown into the river Save (the same printed editions incorrectly have Sacus), and thus consummated his martyrdom." All of which are read in almost the same words in Latin in the Menologion of the Greeks, which Sirletus translated and Canisius published; and in the modern Greek language ἐν βίοις Ἁγίων of Maximus of Cythera.

[3] His most ancient Acts, excerpted, as far as can be gathered, almost word for word from the Proconsular records themselves, were furnished to us by John Gamansius, transcribed from the distinguished Passional of the Bodeken monastery, His ancient Acts from Latin manuscripts which the Canons Regular possess in the diocese of Paderborn: which we collated with two other Latin manuscripts, one from Saint Maximin near Trier, the other from the Longpont monastery near Soissons submitted through Belfort: as well as with two Greek manuscripts, both such that the authors, in reporting the words exchanged between the Governor and the Martyr, appear to have followed each other and to have drawn from the same sources as the Latin writers. and Greek ones: And those which we received at Paris from Codex 174 of the Royal Library begin thus: "When a just man is exercised in holy ways, having embraced what is better, and apprehends the fear of God; immediately, despising all things of this life, he flies in spirit to the enjoyment of the promised goods; and those things which, by the hearing of faith, he believed and desired as certain, as if they were present; comprehending them better by direct vision, he glorifies God: as can be seen in Blessed Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium. For he, on account of his outstanding moral uprightness, holding piety toward God by his very works; although young in age, was elevated to the Episcopal rank, and in that persecution which," etc. Somewhat more ornate and polished than the Latin, but in the same sense: just as also the codex of the Ambrosian Library at Milan, folio N, number 152, copied by a certain monk Lawrence in the Rutian monastery of Calabria five hundred years ago, and containing in compendium the Lives of the Saints for the whole month of August, which has the same Acts of Saint Irenaeus with this opening: Τὸν τῆς εἰρήνης ἐπόνυμον καὶ γενναιότατον μάρτυρα, Εἰρηναῖον τὸν μέγαν ἡ τοῦ Σιρμίου πόλις πρόεδρον ἔσχε.

[4] sometimes confused with Saint Irenaeus the Deacon, The last epitome displeases us, in that it confuses the Bishop Irenaeus with a Deacon, who suffered the day before and probably elsewhere with two companions, Hore and Oropsius, on August 22 according to all others: it agrees, however, with the other Greek and all the Latin manuscripts in this, that nowhere does it mention any removal from Sirmium: so that the author of the above-cited eulogy is suspect of not knowing that Sirmium, which he knew to be the capital of Illyricum, was also in Pannonia and was separated from Illyricum strictly understood by the interposition of the river Save: and therefore we are not moved, on his account, to believe that Irenaeus was crowned with martyrdom anywhere other than at Sirmium. That the Greeks venerate him in August may perhaps have been done on the occasion of the finding and elevation of his body: for the authority of one Greek manuscript, the Royal Parisian one, not very ancient, which says he suffered then, does not carry more weight with us than the consensus of all the Latin writers, even the most ancient: but we remain uncertain among the Latins themselves, to which group we should assent; whether to those who place his memorial on the eighth before the Kalends of April, or on the contrary to others who read and write the eighth before the Ides of April?

[5] The Latins vary about the day: while some say the 8th before the Ides of April, The latter reading is that of the manuscripts of Bodeken and Saint Maximin, and has in its favor Florus in his supplement to Bede, who produces only Xystus on that day, and whose words from the manuscripts of the Churches of Arras and Tournai are these: "In the city of Sirmium, the passion of Saint Hyrenaeus the Bishop, who was struck by the sword in the time of the Emperor Diocletian." Indeed the most ancient of all, namely the Martyrology of Saint Jerome, clearly seems to have placed this Saint Irenaeus on the same day. The reading of this passage is indeed very varied in different codices; for our copy has thus: "Nicom. Sirmi Herenei Ep. Solutoris" and nine others listed in order as if they suffered together, and again: "Sirmi Donati, Sixti, Victoris, Gagi, Rosinæ, Moderatæ." But the Lucca and Corbie copies read: "In Nicomedia Firmi Herenei alias Henei Episcopi": and after ten others begin the second class thus: "In Sirmia Rofinæ vel Rufinæ," etc. Firmum is also found in various ancient manuscript Martyrologies: Cassinese, Barberinian, Labbean, and Vatican Saint Peter's. The knot, however, seems to be solved by another very ancient Rhinau manuscript, of which we also have the autograph, using these words: "Sirmia Herenei Episc. In Nicomedia Firmi, Saluatoris, Quiriaci," etc. So that the scribes seem to have confused Sirmium with Firmum; and then also those who read "Sirmi" thought it was the name of the Martyr, and therefore prefixed Nicomedia to them all as the arena of martyrdom: and this more easily because after the enumerated Nicomedian Martyrs, another crown of Martyrs followed, who also suffered at Sirmium or in Sirmia. Rabanus's Martyrology in Henry Canisius, at the 8th before the Ides, recognized nothing other than "at Sirmium, the birthday of Hyrenaeus, Bishop of the same place."

[6] On the other hand, the Gallican manuscripts prefer the eighth before the Kalends of April: others say he suffered on the 8th before the Kalends: which the Viennese Bishop Ado followed, concluding this day thus: "And at Sirmium, the birthday of Saint Irenaeus the Bishop, who in the time of the Emperor Maximian, under the Governor Probus, was first tortured with the most severe torments, then afflicted for many days in prison, and finally consummated by the severing of his head." Unless perhaps someone might think these were added to Ado from Usuard's Martyrology: certainly the copies of the latter, both printed and manuscript, have in nearly the first place: "At Sirmium, the passion of Saint Irenaeus," etc., in exactly the same words, which Notker also transcribed in full, and the interpolator of the Martyrology printed under Bede's name and Bellinus of Padua: except that the first read Smyrnum, the second Smyrna, the third Syrinium, by a palpable error: which Baronius correcting in the Roman Martyrology, left the rest unchanged, as Maurolycus also did before him, only adding mention of the river Save.

[7] The manuscript of Fulda, formerly of Queen Christina of Sweden, agrees with these, whom later writers generally followed. reporting the same eulogy but "at Smyrna": likewise under the same error of name Peter de Natalibus, treating of Hyrenaeus as if he were Bishop of Smyrna, not without errors; by which he also says he was beaten most severely even to death, and thus thrown into the Sani (he meant to write Savi, i.e. Save) river: citing nevertheless also Ado, who says he was "finally consummated by the severing of his head": which are easily reconciled from the Acts. And to all these is added the Centula Martyrology written about four hundred years ago, where on this day one reads: "At Sirmium, of Saint Hyrenaeus the Bishop"; likewise the manuscript Florarium of the Saints, in which is added "in the year of salvation 287"; which would mark the third year of the persecution begun by Diocletian, but not yet the time of Maximian, which the author supposes; for the latter was admitted to partnership in the Empire only the following year: and much less the time of the assumption by both of Constantius together with Maximian Herculeus, because this pertains to the year 293; yet the Greek encomium from the Royal Parisian manuscript joins the name of the latter to the names of the two earlier tyrants.

ACTS

Drawn from the manuscript of the Bodeken Canons Regular by John Gamansius S.J. and collated with other Greek and Latin manuscripts.

Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr of Sirmium in Pannonia (S.)

BHL Number: 4466

[1] When there was a persecution under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Christians, contending in various combats, Saint Irenaeus, steadfast in faith, received with devout mind the punishments inflicted by the tyrants, and delivered themselves to perpetual rewards. At the same time there was in the city of the Sirmienses a certain Bishop, perfect in Catholic faith and religion, named Irenaeus, who, enduring many persecutions for the love of Christ, merited the palm of victory by a worthy confession. Having been arrested by soldiers, he was presented to Probus, the Governor of Pannonia: vainly urged by the Governor Probus to sacrifice, who said to him: "Obeying the divine precepts, sacrifice to the Gods." Bishop Irenaeus said: "He who sacrifices to gods and not to God shall be destroyed from among his people." Probus said: "The most clement Princes have ordered either to sacrifice or to succumb to torments." Irenaeus answered: "I have been commanded to endure torments rather than to sacrifice to demons by denying God." The Governor said: "Either sacrifice, or I will certainly have you tortured." Irenaeus answered: "I rejoice

if you do so, he is tortured: that I may be found a partaker of the sufferings of my Lord." Immediately the Governor ordered him to be tortured by the soldiers.

[2] When he was being tortured most severely, the Governor said to him: "What do you say, Irenaeus? and unmoved by the prayers of his relatives, Do you sacrifice?" Irenaeus answered: "I sacrifice through a good confession to my God, to whom I have always sacrificed." Meanwhile his relatives arrived, and seeing him being tortured, embracing his feet, they besought him to spare his youth and obey the commands of the Emperors. From one side his father, from another his wife, from another his children with tears pressed themselves upon him: there was also mourning and weeping of his household, wailing of neighbors, and lamentation of friends: who all cried out with one voice, saying: "Have pity on your tender youth." But he, detained by a better desire, kept the sentence of the Lord before his eyes, saying to all: "These are the words of my Lord Jesus Christ: 'If anyone denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven.' Wherefore know, O dearest friends, that neither by your blandishments nor by the threats of the Princes can I in any way be turned aside from his commandments: but I wish to hasten with all my purpose toward the hope of my heavenly calling." Probus, having again summoned Blessed Irenaeus, said to him: "What do you say? he is thrown back into prison. Will you be swayed by the tears of these people from your madness, and consulting your youth, will you sacrifice?" Irenaeus answered: "I consult my eternal interests if I do not sacrifice." Then the Governor ordered him to be committed to the custody of prison while he deliberated about him.

[3] For very many days, therefore, confined there, he was afflicted with various punishments. After this, Probus the Governor sitting in the tribunal, the most blessed martyr Irenaeus was brought before him in the middle of the night, to whom he said: Brought forth again, "Let the punishments with which you have been afflicted for a long time now suffice for you. Come therefore and sacrifice." Irenaeus answered: "If you are thinking of doing anything to me, do it quickly and without delay; knowing that I persevere in the same confession of the name of Christ in which I have been until now, and now and as long as I live." Then the Governor, indignant, ordered him to be beaten with clubs for a very long time. He, however, placed in the midst of punishments, said: "I have a God whom I learned to worship from my earliest age; him I adore, to him I sacrifice: but I cannot worship gods made by hand." Probus said: "Earn your death: let the torments you have endured suffice for you." Saint Irenaeus answered: "I earn my death, because I do not feel the punishments you inflict on me in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ: and yet through those same punishments I shall obtain eternal life." Probus said: "Do you have a wife?" Saint Irenaeus answered: "I do not." Probus said: "Do you have sons or daughters?" he denies having relatives, Saint Irenaeus answered: "I do not." Probus said: "Do you have parents?" Saint Irenaeus answered: "I do not." Probus said: "And who were those who followed you weeping at the previous session?" Saint Irenaeus answered: "I have fulfilled the command of my Lord Jesus Christ who says: 'He who does not renounce his parents and all that he possesses cannot be my disciple': and, 'He who loves father or mother or wife or children or brothers or parents more than me is not worthy of me.' And so he who truly loves God and perfectly attends to his promise despises all earthly things, and professes that he has no relative without him."

[4] Probus said: "As I hear, you have sons, and therefore at least for their love sacrifice, he replies that God will care for his children: lest they lose their father's name in you." Irenaeus answered: "My sons have God as their Father, whom I also have and adore: who is able to save both them and me; in whom we truly and perfectly trust, and to whom we have committed our souls lest we perish: but you, do what has been commanded by the Emperors." Probus said: "Look after yourself and your parents, sacrificing to the gods and obeying the commands of the Emperors, lest I destroy you by various tortures." Saint Irenaeus answered: "I have already told you to do with me what you will; knowing that I will never sacrifice to your gods. Now you shall see how great a tolerance my Lord Jesus Christ will give me against your snares and the diabolical punishments which you have prepared for the Saints." Probus said: "Behold, I will now pronounce the sentence of death upon you, if you do not sacrifice." Saint Irenaeus answered: "I shall rejoice if you do so: because through the sentence of death you will transmit me to eternal joys." and fearlessly hears the sentence of death: Probus gave the sentence, saying: "I order Irenaeus, disobedient to the royal precepts, to be cast into the river." Saint Irenaeus answered: "I was expecting your manifold threats and various kinds of torments, that you might know how Christians are accustomed to despise death for the faith which is in God: but since you have inflicted none of these, I rejoice that you have at least given this sentence against me."

[5] The Governor therefore, enraged at the great confidence of the Blessed man, ordered him to be struck with the sword, and thus his body to be plunged into the river. But the Saint, as if receiving a second palm, upon hearing this sentence, gave thanks to God, saying: "I give you thanks, Lord Jesus, who have granted me tolerance in confessing your name, that I may be made a partaker of your eternal glory": and saying these things, he was led to the bridge which is called Basentis, about to be beheaded, he prays for himself and the Church. from which he was to be thrown: and there, stripping himself of his garments and extending his hands toward heaven, he prayed and said: "Lord Jesus Christ, who deigned to suffer for the salvation of the world, let your heavens be opened to receive the spirit of your servant Irenaeus, who is brought forth from the Catholic Church of the Sirmienses for the sake of your name; I do not refuse to undergo death: I also pray, Lord, for your mercy, that you may protect the people of the Sirmienses from all adversity of things visible and invisible, and deign to strengthen them in your faith." When this prayer was completed, he was struck by the executioners with the sword and was cast into the river which is called the Save.

[6] The servant of God, Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of the Sirmienses, was martyred on the eighth day before the Ides of April, under the Emperor Diocletian, with Probus the Governor holding the prefecture: our Lord Jesus Christ reigning in us, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.