ICONOGRAPHIE CHRÉTIENNE: Saint IRÉNÉE de SIRMIUM, évêque et martyr

The bridge of St Ireney above the Sava, at en:Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, Vojvodina/Le pont Saint-Irénée sur la fr:Save (Danube) à fr:Sremska Mitrovica, Voïvodine, Serbie

Saint Irénée de Sirmium

Évêque et martyr (+ v. 305)

Evêque de Sirmium, aujourd'hui Mitrovica, au temps de l’empereur Maximien , sous le préfet Probus, il endura des tortures, subit une longue et pénible détention et fut enfin décapité à Sirmium en Pannonie - l'actuelle Hongrie.

Martyrologe romain

SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/7968/Saint-Irenee-de-Sirmium.html

IRÉNÉE DE SIRMIUM

Évêque, Martyr et Saint

+ 304

Sous le règne de Dioclétien et de Maximien, les chrétiens, en d'innombrables combats, soutenaient pour la gloire de Dieu avec dévouement et courage les supplices infligés par les tyrans et acquéraient ainsi les récompenses éternelles. Parmi eux, fut Irénée, évêque de Sirmium, dont on va raconter, la lutte et la victoire. Il était digne de son nom par sa modestie profonde et la crainte divine qui inspirait et guidait tous ses actes.

Il fut traduit devant Probus (gouverneur de la Pannonie Inférieure), qui lui dit : « Obéis aux divins édits et sacrifie aux dieux. »

L'évêque : Quiconque sacrifie aux dieux et non à Dieu sera anéanti.

Les très cléments princes laissent le choix, sacrifier ou mourir par la torture.

— Mon devoir est d'accepter les tortures plutôt que de renier Dieu en sacrifiant aux démons.

— Sacrifie, ou bien la torture va commencer.

— Tant mieux, je participerai ainsi à la Passion de mon Sauveur.

Pendant la torture Probe dit : « Eh bien, Irénée, que dis-tu ? Sacrifie.

— Je sacrifie à Dieu en confessant ma foi et je lui ai toujours sacrifié.

Les parents d'Irénée arrivant, ils le virent en cet état et le prièrent d'épargner cet excès de douleur à leur vieillesse. En même temps ses petits enfants lui baisaient les pieds : « Papa, disaient-ils, aie pitié de nous. » Sa femme sanglotait, suppliait. Des serviteurs, des amis, des voisins étaient là qui se lamentaient : « Aie pitié de ta jeunesse », lui disaient-ils.

Un désir plus noble s'était emparé de l'âme du martyr, cette parole du Sauveur ne sortait plus de sa pensée : « Celui qui me reniera devant les hommes, je le renierai devant mon Père céleste. »

Supérieur à tout, il demeurait en silence.

Probus lui dit : Allons, laisse-toi toucher par tant de larmes, pense à ton âge, sacrifie.

— Je pense à mon éternité, je ne sacrifie pas.

On le reconduisit en prison, où il fut enfermé plusieurs jours, et soumis à de nouveaux supplices.

Une nuit, Probus le fit chercher.

— Irénée, sacrifie, afin d'éviter la souffrance.

— Fais ton métier, mais n'attends rien de moi.

Probus le fit rouer de coups de bâton.

— J'ai appris à adorer mon Dieu dès l'enfance, je l'adore, il me soutient dans mes épreuves, c'est à lui que je sacrifie : je ne puis adorer vos dieux fabriqués.

— Evite la mort, tu as assez souffert.

— La mort m'est un gain, puisque. par les souffrances que tu crois m'infliger et que je ne sens pas, j'obtiens de Dieu la vie éternelle.

— Tu es marié ? Non.

— Mais tu as des fils ?

— Non.

— Tu as tes parents ?

— Non.

— Qui sont donc ceux qui pleuraient devant toi à la dernière audience ?

— Jésus-Christ, mon Maître, a dit : « et Celui qui aime son père, ou sa mère, ou sa femme, ou ses fils, ou ses frères plus que moi, n'est pas digne de moi. »

C'était la raison qui faisait dire au martyr, le regard tourné vers les choses du ciel, qu'il ne connaissait ici-bas personne autre que Dieu.

— Sacrifie, ne fût-ce que pour eux.

— Mes fils ont le même Dieu que moi, il peut les sauver. Fais ton métier.

— Réfléchis, jeune homme, sacrifie, évite le supplice.

— Fais ce que tu voudras, tu vas voir quelle force Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ me donnera contre les embûches.

Probus dit : — Je vais prononcer la sentence.

— Tant mieux.

— J'ordonne, dit Probus, qu'Irénée, qui a désobéi aux ordres royaux, soit jeté à la rivière.

— Je m'attendais qu'après tant de menaces, dit Irénée, tu multiplierais sur moi les tourments, afin de me frapper ensuite d'un coup d'épée, tu ne l'as pas fait. Je t'en prie, change d'avis, tu apprendras comment, grâce à leur foi, les chrétiens savent mourir.

Probus, vexé (changea la sentence) et condamna Irénée à être décapité. Le saint martyr, comme si t'eût été une seconde couronne offerte à son courage, rendit grâces et dit : « Je vous rends grâces, Seigneur Jésus-Christ, qui parmi des peines et des tortures diverses me donnez la force de les supporter, et daignez me rendre participant de la gloire éternelle. »

Quand on fut arrivé sur le pont nommé de Bazentis (qui domine le Save), le martyr enleva ses vêtements, éleva les mains au ciel, et pria : « Seigneur Jésus-Christ, qui as daigné souffrir pour le salut du monde, que ton ciel s'ouvre et reçoive l'âme de ton serviteur Irénée, qui souffre aujourd'hui pour ton nom et pour le peuple de ton Église catholique de Sirmium. J'implore ta miséricorde, daigne m'accueillir et confirmer ceux-ci dans ta foi. »

Quand il eut fini, le bourreau lui coupa la tête et jeta le corps dans la Save.

Ainsi mourut le serviteur de Dieu Irénée, évêque de Sirmium.

C'était le 6 avril, sous le règne de Dioclétien, par l'ordre du gouverneur Probus. Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ régnait sur le monde. A lui la gloire dans les siècles des siècles. Amen[1].

[1] LES MARTYRS ; tome 3. Recueil de pièces authentiques sur les martyres depuis les origines du christianisme jusqu'au XXe siècle. Traduites et publiées par B. P. DOM H. LECLERCQ, moine bénédictin de Saint-Michel de Farnborough.

SOURCE : http://nouvl.evangelisation.free.fr/irenee_de_sirmium.htm

Le Saint Martyr du Christ Irénée

Le Saint Martyr du Christ Irénée était Evêque de Sirmium (aujourd'hui Srijemska Mitrovica), la capitale de la Pannonie Seconde, sous le règne de Dioclétien et Maximien (vers 304), à une époque où il était encore permis aux Évêques d'être mariés . Comme il proclamait avec assurance la Parole de Dieu et provoquait la conversion d'un grand nombre de ses concitoyens, il fut arrêté par les païens et traduit devant le gouverneur Probus. Après l'avoir interrogé sur son identité, le magistrat l'invita à sacrifier aux dieux invincibles, afin de vivre en paix dans la cité. Le valeureux disciple du Christ répondit qu'en aucune façon il ne se soumettrait aux coutumes idolâtres, et qu'il n'avait cure de la paix qu'on lui proposait. Il fut livré à diverses tortures: la flagellation, les ongles de fer et les verges, mais resta inébranlable dans sa confession du Sauveur. Poussant la cruauté à son comble, Probus avait convoqué la famille du saint pour assister aux supplices. Sa femme et ses enfants lui baisaient les pieds et le suppliaient d'avoir pitié d'eux, tandis que sa mère et sa domesticité se répandaient en lamentations. Comme le gouverneur le pressait de se laisser attendrir par ces larmes et de ne point perdre le meilleur de ses années, le Saint lui répliqua que c'était précisément pour ne pas se perdre éternellement qu'il refusait de sacrifier.

Renvoyé en prison, il comparut de nouveau devant le proconsul quelques jours plus tard. Comme on lui demandait s'il était marié et avait des enfants, élevant son âme au-dessus des sentiments de la nature, le Saint répondit: « Le Sauveur nous a enseigné que quiconque lui préférerait père, mère, femme et enfants (cf. Mat. 10:37) n'était pas digne de Lui. Aussi quand je pense à Dieu et à la félicité qu'Il a promise à ses fidèles serviteurs, je méprise toute chose de cette terre. Mes enfants ne perdront pas beaucoup à ma mort, car je leur laisse pour Père le Dieu qu'ils adorent avec moi. J'ai confiance qu'Il prendra soin d'eux et les fera héritiers de Son Royaume. Accomplis donc ce qui t'a été ordonné. » Le magistrat le condamna à être noyé dans la Save. Saint Irénée répliqua qu'après tant de menaces, il s'attendait à une mort plus cruelle; alors, hors de lui, Probus ordonna de le décapiter avant de le jeter dans le fleuve. Il fut amené sur le pont d'Artémis et, après avoir été dépouillé de ses vêtements, il rendit grâce au Christ de l'avoir rendu digne de participer par ces tourments à la gloire éternelle, puis les gardes lui tranchèrent la tête et jetèrent son corps dans le fleuve. Une église fut ensuite érigée en son honneur, à l'est de la cité, où il était vénéré comme un des plus illustres Martyrs de Sirrnium.

On rapporte que deux Chrétiens, probablement originaires d'Égypte, Ôr et Oropsis, comparurent alors aussi en jugement. On les précipita dans une fournaise, mais une ondée descendue du ciel éteignit le feu. Ils furent ensuite livrés en pâture aux fauves qui les laissèrent indemnes, et après avoir échappé à d'autres supplices, ils furent finalement décapités et jetés eux aussi dans la Save.

1. Le Synaxaire de Constantinople mentionne au 22 août un St Irénée et ses deux compagnons, Ôr et Oropsis, avec un résumé de leur passion qui ne précise ni lieu ni date. Mais dans le Ménologe Impérial (XI s.) Ôr et Oropsis sont associés à St Irénée de Sirmium, avec certains détails qui permettent de supposer que cette version est la plus authentique.

2. Progressivement entré dans les usages depuis le IVe s., le célibat ne fut imposé aux Évêques que sous le règne de Justinien.

SOURCE : http://calendrier.egliseorthodoxe.com/sts/stsaout/aout23.html

Saint Irenaeus of Sirmium

Memorial

6 April

24 March on some calendars

25 March on some calendars

Profile

Bishop of Sirmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Arrested and tortured in the persecutions of Diocletian, he refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. Ordered drowned for his faith, he objected that as a Christian he should be allowed to bravely face his tormentors and executioners; with God on his side he should be treated as courageous and honourable. Martyred. His Acta has survived to today.

Died

beheaded in 304 at Sirmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia)

body thrown into the river

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Additional Information

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate

Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler

Saints of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein

Short Lives of the Saints, by Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly

books

Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

other sites in english

uCatholic

sitios en español

Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición

fonti in italiano

Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition

Santi e Beati

MLA Citation

“Saint Irenaeus of Sirmium“. CatholicSaints.Info. 13 April 2021. Web. 21 February 2025. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irenaeus-of-sirmium/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irenaeus-of-sirmium/

Book of Saints – Irenaeus of Sirmium

Article

(Saint) Bishop, Martyr (March 25) (4th century) A holy Bishop in Pannonia (Hungary) who suffered in the great persecution under Diocletian at Sirmium {Mitrovitz). He was beheaded A.D. 304.

MLA Citation

Monks of Ramsgate. “Irenaeus of Sirmium”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 10 September 2013. Web. 21 February 2025. <https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-irenaeus-of-sirmium/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-irenaeus-of-sirmium/

St. Irenaeus of Sirmium

Death: 304

Irenaeus was bishop of the Baltic city of Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). During the persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian, he was arrested and brought before the local governor. Upon refusing the governor’s repeated demands that he must offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Irenaeus was tortured on a rack. During this torment, he was again urged to offer sacrifice, but he remained steadfast in his refusal. His resolve was further put to the test by the impassioned pleas of his family, who urged him to yield. At length, Irenaeus was sent back to prison, where he was subjected to more harsh treatment and additional tortures in a final effort to make him apostatize. But when he was again interrogated, he was found to be as firm as ever in his determination to persevere in his faith. In the end, he was beheaded.

SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6038

St. Irenaeus of Sirmium

St. Irenaeus was bishop of the Baltic city of Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). During the persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian, he was arrested and brought before the local governor. Upon refusing the governor’s repeated demands that he must offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Irenaeus was tortured on a rack.

During this torment, he was again urged to offer sacrifice, but he remained steadfast in his refusal. His resolve was further put to the test by the impassioned pleas of his family, who urged him to yield. At length, Irenaeus was sent back to prison, where he was subjected to more harsh treatment and additional tortures in a final effort to make him apostatize. But when he was again interrogated, he was found to be as firm as ever in his determination to persevere in his faith. In the end, he was beheaded.

SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/irenaeus-of-sirmium/

Irenaeus of Sirmium BM (RM)

Died 304; feast day formerly March 25 (due to an error in the Roman Martyrology) and originally on April 6, the date of his death. Saint Irenaeus, bishop of the capital of Pannonia, suffered martyrdom under Diocletian at Sirmium (Mitrovica) in Serbia near Budapest. His acta are authentic and most touching. These relate that Irenaeus was a handsome young bishop, who was arrested and tried before Governor Probus of Pannonia. When the governor informed him of his civic obligation to sacrifice to the gods, Irenaeus answered: "The law of my God commands me rather to suffer all torments than to sacrifice to the gods." When threatened with torture, Irenaeus responds, "You cannot do me a greater pleasure; for by that means you will make me partake of the sufferings of my Savior. When prodded on the rack, Irenaeus says, "I sacrifice to my God, by confessing his holy name, and so have I always sacrificed to him."

The torture was all the greater because Irenaeus' entire family was gathered round him, expressing great concern for his well-being. His children embraced his feet, crying out: "Father, dear father, have pity on yourself and on us." His weeping wife threw herself about his neck, tenderly embraced him, and begged him to save himself for her sake, his innocent children, and the pledges of their mutual love. His sobbing mother sighed and cried, together with their servants, neighbors, and friends. Difficult as it was, Irenaeus recalled our Savior's words, "If anyone renounce me before men, I will renounce him before the Father who is in Heaven."

The governor tried to use his family to tempt him to sacrifice out of compassion for the many who mourned his fate. Unmoved, Irenaeus was sent to prison, where he was repeatedly tormented. During his second hearing, the governor asked if he had living relatives. Irenaeus answered, no. Probus then questioned, "Who then were those that wept for you at your first examination?" Irenaeus replied from Scripture: "Our Lord Jesus Christ hath said: 'He that loves father or mother, wife or children, brothers or relations more than me is not worthy of me.' So, when I lift up my eyes to contemplate that God whom I adore and the joys he hath promised to those who faithfully serve him, I forget that I am a father, a husband, a son, a master, a friend."

Probus said: "But you do not therefore cease to be so. Sacrifice at least for their sakes."

Irenaeus replied: "My children will not lose much by my death; for I leave them for Father that same God whom they adore with me; so let nothing hinder you from executing the orders of your emperor upon me."

Probus: "Don't throw yourself away. I cannot avoid condemning you."

Irenaeus: "You cannot do me a greater favor, or give me a more agreeable pleasure."

Probus then sentenced him: "I order that Irenaeus, for disobeying the emperor's commands, be cast into the river."

Irenaeus replied: "After so many threats, I expected something extraordinary, and you content yourself with drowning me. How comes this? You do me an injury; for you deprive me of the means of showing the world how much Christians, who have a lively faith, despise death, though attended with the most cruel torments." The enraged Probus added that he should be beheaded first. Irenaeus returned thanks to God as for a second victory.

His last words were: "Lord Jesus Christ, who deigned to suffer for the world's salvation, let Your heavens open that Your angels may take up the soul of Your servant Irenaeus, who suffers all this for Your name and for the people formed of your Catholic Church of Sirmium. I ask and implore Your mercy to receive me and to strengthen them in Your faith." Thereafter, he was taken to the bridge of Diana, stripped, beheaded, and thrown into the river (Attwater2, Benedictines, Farmer, Husenbeth).

SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0324.shtml

St. Irenaeus of Sirmium (Feast: March 24)

Sirmium, then the capital of Pannonia, is in present-day Serbia.

Apart from his position as bishop, Irenaeus seems to have been a man of local importance.

Arrested during the terrible persecution of Diocletian, Irenaeus was brought before the governor, and commanded to offer sacrifice to the gods. At his refusal, he was stretched on the rack, but did not relent.

His mother, wife (at that time the laws of celibacy were different) and children hung about his neck begging him to save himself and not to abandon them.

Steeling himself against their entreaties, the holy prelate maintained silence, and was again imprisoned, willingly submitting himself to the cruelty of the torments by which the pagans hoped to shake him.

Publicly interrogated a second time – once more without effect – Bishop Irenaeus was sentenced to death by drowning for disobedience to the imperial edict.

At his protest that death by drowning was unworthy of a confessor of Christ, he begged to face the cruelest torments. He was finally beheaded.

SOURCE : https://www.americaneedsfatima.org/Saints-Heroes/st-irenaeus-of-sirmium.html

March 24

St. Irenæus, Bishop of Sirmium, Martyr

From the original authentic acts of his trial in Henschenius, Ruinart, p. 403. Tillemont, t. 4. p. 248. Ceillier, t. 3. p. 497.

A.D. 304

ST. IRENÆUS, bishop of Sirmium, capital of part of Pannonia, (now Sirmisch, a village in Hungary, twenty-two leagues from Buda to the South,) in the persecution of Dioclesian was apprehended and conducted before Probus, the governor of Pannonia, who said to him: “The divine laws oblige all men to sacrifice to the gods.” Irenæus answered: “Into hell fire shall he be thrown, whoever shall sacrifice to the gods.” PROBUS—“The edicts of the most clement emperors ordain that all sacrifice to the gods, or suffer according to law.” IRENÆUS—“But the law of my God commands me rather to suffer all torments than to sacrifice to the gods.” PROBUS—“Either sacrifice, or I will put you to the torture.” IRENÆUS—“You cannot do me a greater pleasure; for by that means you will make me partake of the sufferings of my Saviour.” The proconsul commanded him to be put on the rack; and whilst he was tortured, he said to him: “What do you say now, Irenæus? Will you sacrifice?” IRENÆUS—“I sacrifice to my God by confessing his holy name, and so have I always sacrificed to him.” All Irenæus’s family was in the utmost concern for him. His mother, his wife, and his children surrounded him. His children embraced his feet, crying out: “Father, dear father, have pity on yourself and on us.” His wife, dissolved in tears, cast herself about his neck, and, tenderly embracing him, conjured him to preserve himself for her, and his innocent children, the pledges of their mutual love. His mother, with a voice broken with sobs, sent forth lamentable cries and sighs, which were accompanied with those of their servants, neighbours, and friends; so that all round the rack on which the martyr was hanging, nothing was heard but sobs, groans, and lamentations. Irenæus resisted all these violent assaults, opposing those words of our Lord: If any one renounce me before men, I will renounce him before my Father who is in Heaven. He made no answer to their pressing solicitations, but raised his soul above all considerations of flesh and blood to him who was looking down on his conflict from above, waiting to crown his victory with immortal glory; and who seemed to cry out to him from his lofty throne in heaven: “Come, make haste to enjoy me.” The governor said to him: “Will you be insensible to such marks of tenderness and affection? Can you see so many tears shed for you without being moved? It is not beneath a great courage to be touched with compassion. Sacrifice, and do not destroy yourself in the flower of your age.” Irenæus said: “It is that I may not destroy myself that I refuse to sacrifice.” The governor sent him to prison where he remained a long time suffering divers torments. At the second time of examination, the governor, after having pressed him to sacrifice, asked him if he had a wife, parents, or children alive? The saint answered all these questions in the negative. “Who then were those that wept for you at your first examination?” Irenæus made answer: “Our Lord Jesus Christ hath said: He that loveth father or mother, wife or children, brothers or relations, more than me, is not worthy of me. So, when I lift up my eyes to contemplate that God whom I adore, and the joys he hath promised to those who faithfully serve him, I forget that I am a father, a husband, a son, a master, a friend.” Probus said: “But you do not therefore cease to be so. Sacrifice, at least, for their sakes.” Irenæus replied: “My children will not lose much by my death; for I leave them for father that same God whom they adore with me; so let nothing hinder you from executing the orders of your emperor upon me.” PROBUS. “Throw not yourself away. I cannot avoid condemning you.” IRENÆUS. “You cannot do me a greater favour, or give me a more agreeable pleasure.” Then Probus passed sentence after this manner: “I order that Irenæus, for disobeying the emperor’s commands, be cast into the river.” 1 Irenæus replied: “After so many threats, I expected something extraordinary, and you content yourself with drowning me. How comes this? You do me an injury; for you deprive me of the means of showing the world how much Christians, who have a lively faith, despise death, though attended with the most cruel torments.” Probus, enraged at this, added to the sentence that he should be first beheaded. Irenæus returned thanks to God as for a second victory. When arrived on the bridge of Diana, from which he was to be thrown, stripping off his clothes, and lifting up his hands to heaven, he prayed thus: “Lord Jesus Christ, who condescendest to suffer for the salvation of the world, command the heavens to open, that the angels may receive the soul of thy servant Irenæus, who suffers for thy name, and for thy people of the Catholic church of Sirmium.” Then his head been struck off, he was thrown into the river on the 25th of March, on which day his name occurs in the Roman Martyrology. He suffered in the year 304. He was married before he was ordained bishop; but lived continent from that time, as the laws of the church required.

The martyrs most perfectly accomplished the precept of renouncing all things for Christ; but all who desire truly to become his disciples, are bound to do it in spirit. Many aspire to perfection by austere practices of exterior mortification and long exercises of devotion; yet make little progress, and, after many years, remain always subject to many imperfections and errors in a spiritual life. The reason is, because they neglected to lay the foundation by renouncing themselves. This requires constant watchfulness, courageous self-denial, a perfect spirit of humility, meekness and obedience, and sincere compunction, in which a soul examines and detects her vices, bewails her past sins and those of the whole world, sighs at the consideration of its vanity and slavery, and of her distance from heaven, labours daily to cleanse her mind from all idle thoughts, and her heart from all sin, all irregular attachments, and superfluous desires, flies the vain joys of the world, and often entertains herself on the bloody passion of Christ. If the affections are thus purified, and this cleanness of heart daily more and more cultivated, the rest costs very little, and the soul makes quick progress in the paths of holy love, by the assiduous exercises of contemplation and prayer, a constant fidelity in all her actions, and the most fervent and pure attention to the divine will and presence. Voluntary imperfections and failings, especially if habitual, both blind and defile the soul, disquiet her, extremely weaken her, and damp the fervour of her good desires and resolutions. They must therefore be retrenched with the utmost resolution and vigilance, especially those which arise from any secret vanity, sensuality, or want of the most perfect sincerity, candour, and simplicity. An habitual attachment to any failing, how trifling soever it may appear, how subtle and secret soever it may be, and under whatever pretences it may be disguised, exceedingly obstructs the operations of the Holy Ghost, and the effusion of divine grace in a soul.

Note 1. Meaning the Boswethe, which runs through Sirmisch, and falls into the sea five leagues lower.

Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume III: March. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.

SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/3/241.html

Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium

It is believed that Saint Irenaeus was born in the city of which he was afterwards bishop; and, although it is probable that his parents were pagans, he professed the faith of Jesus Christ from his childhood. He married at an early age and had many young children he left behind at the time of his martyrdom. This saint gave such extraordinary examples of virtue that he deserved to be made Bishop of Sirmium while yet a young man; and from the time he received that charge, he ceased not to combat the enemies of the faith, and to defend his flock from their artifices, until he terminated a brilliant career in the glory of martyrdom.

The edicts of the Emperor Diocletian against the Christians were published in Sirmium in the year 304, and Probus, the governor of Lower Pannonia, was most indefatigable in putting them into execution. The ecclesiastics, and particularly the bishops, were the first objects of his unholy zeal; for he thought that by striking the pastors he could the more easily disperse the flock of Jesus Christ.

Irenaeus was accordingly arrested, and brought before Probus, who said to him: “Obey the imperial edicts, and sacrifice to the gods.”

Saint Irenaeus replied, “The Scripture saith that whosoever sacrifices to false gods shall be exterminated.”

“The princes have commanded that all Christians shall sacrifice to the gods,” Probus stated flatly, “or they shall be tortured.”

“But I have been commanded to suffer all tortures rather than deny my God and sacrifice to demons,” Saint Irenaeus explained.

“Either sacrifice,” Probus threatened, “or I will put thee to the torture.”

“In doing so,” Irenaeus boldly answered, “thou shalt please me; for thus shall I be made a participator of the Passion of my Savior.”

Hereupon the governor commanded that he should be tortured; and, seeing that he suffered much, said, “What dost thou now say, Irenaeus? Wilt thou now sacrifice?”

The saint replied, “I sacrifice, by my confession, to my God, to whom I have always sacrificed.”

During the torments of Saint Irenaeus, his father, his wife and children, his domestics and friends, came to implore of him to obey the emperors. His children embraced his feet, crying out: “Father, if thou hast no pity for thyself, have pity, at least, on us.” The wife, with many tears, besought him not to leave her disconsolate; while his friends exhorted him not to throw away his life in his youth. But the saint, like an immovable rock upon which the waves lose their strength, armed himself against their assaults with the words of the Savior – “He that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.”

To their importunities he returned not a single word of reply, but sighed only for the consummation of his martyrdom.

Probus then said to him, “Irenaeus, abandon this thy folly; sacrifice to the gods, and destroy not thyself in the prime of life.”

The saint answered, “It is that I may not destroy myself for all eternity that I refuse to sacrifice.” He was then taken down and sent to prison, where he had to endure various tortures for several days.

After some time, Probus, seated upon his tribunal, ordered that the holy bishop should be again brought before him, and, upon his appearance said, “Irenaeus, now at length sacrifice, and free theyself from the torments which otherwise await thee.”

The saint replied, “Do that which thou art commanded to do, and do not at all imagine that I am likely to obey thee.”

Probus, enraged at this answer, caused Saint Irenaeus to be scourged in his presence, during which infliction the saint said, “From my childhood I have adored the one only God, who has always assisted and comforted me, and I cannot adore gods made by the hands of men.”

Probus said, “Let the torments which thou hast already suffered suffice thee; free thyself from death.”

“I do free myself from death,” Irenaeus answered, “when, by the pains which I suffer, I gain eternal life.”

The governor then asked whether he had a wife, children, or parents alive, but Irenaeus answered that he had not, adding, “I say I have not, because Jesus Christ hath declared that whosoever loveth father or mother, wife or children, more than Him, is not worthy of Him.”

“Sacrifice at least for thy children’s sake,” Probus said.

“My children have God to provide for them.”

“Do not oblige me to put thee again to the torture.”

“Do thy pleasure,” Irenaeus said, “but thou shalt see what constancy my Lord Jesus Christ will give me to overcome all thy arts.”

Probus then ordered Irenaeus to be cast into the river, but the saint, hearing the sentence, exclaimed, “I thought, that, after so many threats, thou wouldst have caused me to suffer many tortures, and to be cut to pieces; I beseech thee to do so, that thou mayest perceive how Christians, who have faith in God, despise death.”

Probus, enraged at these words, ordered that the saint should be beheaded, and then cast into the river. The holy bishop, perceiving that his end was approaching, returned thanks to Jesus Christ for having given him the necessary fortitude, and for calling him, by such a death, to the participation of His glory. When he arrived at the bridge of Diana, which was the place selected for the execution, he threw off his garments and prayed thus: “O Lord Jesus Christ! Who didst vouchsafe to die for the salvation of the world, I beseech Thee that Thy angels may receive my soul; since I most willingly suffer death for the honor of Thy name, and the edification of Thy Church. Receive me into Thy glory for Thy mercy’s sake, and strengthen my flock in Thy holy faith.”

The head of Saint Irenaeus was then struck off, and his body thrown into the river Save.

By Saint Alphonsus De Liguori

SOURCE : https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-irenaeus.html

Short Lives of the Saints – Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

Entry

At that period when the edict of the emperor Diocletian was working terrible havoc among the persecuted Christians, Saint Irenaeus was bishop of Sirmich, in Pannonia. Apprehended for the faith, he was brought before Probus, governor of the province, and was alternately threatened and cajoled in order to induce him to sacrifice to the idols. Refusing to apostatize, he was first scourged and then sentenced to be beheaded, and his body to be cast into the river. The prayer of the martyr before his execution was: “I thank Thee, my God, for having deigned to let me suffer death for the glory of Thy name, and for the safe-guarding of the Christian people of Sirmich. Vouchsafe to receive me in Thy mercy, and by my example fortify Thy people in the faith.”

Except a kernel of wheat
  Fall into the earth and die,
It abideth ever alone.
  But this one tell and died:
And many from one seed sown
  Were raised and glorified.
    – Edward Hyde

Favorite Practice – To be impressed with the necessity of setting a good example to those around us.

MLA Citation

Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly. “Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr”. Short Lives of the Saints, 1910. CatholicSaints.Info. 13 April 2021. Web. 21 February 2025. <https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-saints-saint-irenaeus-bishop-and-martyr/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-saints-saint-irenaeus-bishop-and-martyr/

Medieval Histories

Nature History Heritage

13/12/2023

The Passion of Blessed Bishop, Irenaeus of Sirmium

Irenaeus of Sirmium was martyred in AD 304 in Sirmium. His vita reads as an official report.

In AD 294, Sirmium was proclaimed one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire and allotted to the emperor Galerius. Sirmium boasted an imperial palace, a horse-racing arena or hippodrome, a sporting arena, and a theatre. Two bridges crossed the river, Also, the city sported numerous baths, villas, and public palaces. Glued to its important status were the silver mines in the Dinaric Alps and the mint established in the city. Already by the third century, the Sirmium housed a Christian community and from c. 300 the bishop acted as metropolitan for the Pannonian bishops. The first known bishop was Irenaeus of Sirmium, who was martyred together with his deacon St. Dimitrius and others during the Diocletian persecutions in AD 304.

Archaeologist have provided evidence for a vibrant cult in the 4th and 5th centuries. However, around AD 600 the Avars destroyed the city, and the cult was not renewed until the Bavarian and Byzantine missions took off in the 10th century,

The following translation is based on one of the earlier manuscripts containing the vita: (ÖNB), Cod. Ser. n. 371, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. The manuscript is dated to the 10th century and derives from Salzburg.

TRANSLATION:

Passio sancti Irenaei episcopi – The Passion of the Blessed Bishop Irenaeus

When there was persecution under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Christians, participating in various agonies and with a devoted mind to God willingly endured punishments inflicted by tyrants. Thus, they made themselves participants in perpetual rewards.

This also happened to the servant of God, Irenaeus, Bishop of the city of Sirmium, whose trial I shall now recount for you to show you his victory. He, because of his inherent modesty and his fear of God whom he served with worthy deeds, was found worthy of his name.

So, he was seized and presented before the rightful governor of Pannonia. This governor said to him, “Obey the divine commands, and sacrifice to the gods.” Irenaeus answered, “He who sacrifices to gods and not to God will be eternally lost.” The governor said, “The most merciful emperors have commanded that you either sacrifice or succumb to tortures.” Irenaeus replied, “For me, it is commanded to endure tortures rather than denying God and sacrificing to demons.” The esteemed governor ordered him to be tortured.

And when he was severely tortured, he said to him, “What do you say, Iraeneus? Sacrifice!” Ireaneus responded, “I sacrifice through a full confession to my God, whom I have always worshiped”.

His relatives, seeing him being tortured, implored him; his children embraced his feet, saying, “Have mercy on yourself and us, father.” The women, with mournful faces, begged for his life. But, detained by a better desire, he held the judgement of the Lord before his eyes, who says, “If anyone denies me before men, I will deny him before my Father who is in heaven.”

Disregarding everyone, he responded to none and hastened to attain the supreme hope of his calling. The erightful governor said, “What do you say? For the sake of your youth, be moved by the tears of these, and sacrifice.” Irenaeus responded, “I look to eternity; I am resolved, I shall not sacrifice.” The rightful governor ordered him to be taken to prison.

For many days, he was confined there and subjected to punishments. But at a certain time, in the middle of the night, the most blessed martyr Iraeneus was brought again before the tribunal of the rightful governor. This governor said to him, “Now sacrifice, Irenaeus, gain by sacrificing and avoid pains.” Iraeneus responded, “Do what is commanded; do not expect this from me.”

The rightful governor again ordered him to be beaten with rods. Irenaeus responded, “I have God, whom I have been taught to worship from my earliest age; I adore Him, who confirm me in all things, and to whom I also bring offers. But I cannot adore gods made by hands.” The rightful governor said, “Gain death. Let the tortures you endured be sufficient.” Irenaeus responded, “I shall obtain death through those punishments which you think to inflict on me, which I do not feel. Because of God, I shall receive the eternal life.”

The rightful governor then said, “You have a wife, Irenaeus.” Irenaeus responded, “I do not have one.” The rightful governor said, “You have sons.” Irenaeus responded, “I do not have any.” The rightful governor said, “You have parents.” Irenaeus responded, “I do not have any.” The rightful governor said, “And who were those who lamented your past inquisitions?” Irenaeus responded, “It is the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, who says, “He who loves father or mother or wife or sons or brothers or parents more than me, is not worthy of me.” Therefore, looking up to God in Heaven and turning toward His promises, while despising all things, I offer up myself for them.” Irenaeus responded, “My sons have God. By His grace, I can save them. But you, do what you are commanded to do.” The rightful governor said, “I advise you, young man, sacrifice, so that I do not have to inflict tortures on you.” Irenaeus responded, “Do what you wish. Soon you will see how much esteem, the Lord Jesus Christ will grant me as opposed to your scheming.”

The rightful governor said, “I will pass the sentence on you.” Irenaeus responded, “I congratulate you if you do. Passing the sentence, the rightful governor said, “I order that Irenaeus, disobedient to imperial commands, be thrown into the river.” Irenaeus responded, “I expected your many threats and many tortures, so that, because of these, you might subject me to the sword. But you have decided not to inflict this. I pray that you understand how Christians, because of the faith they have in God, are accustomed to despise death.”

Therefore, angered, the rightful governor, at the calm and trust of the most blessed man, ordered him to be struck with a sword. The holy martyr, as if being met with waving palm branches, gave thanks to God, saying, “I thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, who, through various pains and tortures, which you have granted me patience to suffer, that you have deemed me worthy to partake in your eternal glory.”

And when he came to the bridge called Basentius, he removed his clothes, extended his hands to heaven, and prayed, saying, “Lord Jesus Christ, who deigned to suffer for the salvation of the world, let your heavens open to receive the angels. Let them receive the spirit of your servant Irenaeus, who, for your name and your people in your Catholic Church in Sirmium, endures these things. I beg you, for your mercy to receive me and to deem us worthy as faithful.

Thus, struck by the sword by the officers, he was thrown into the river. The servant of God, the holy bishop Irenaeus of the city of Sermium, suffered on the 8th of the Ides of April. Under the Emperor Diocletian, with Probus acting as governor, and our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom the glory be forever and ever. Amen; the account is complete.”

SOURCE:

Le dossier hagiographique d’Irénée, évêque de Sirmium

By François Dolbeau (2000)

Antiquité Tardive. Revue Internationale d’Histoire et d’Archéologie (IVe-VIIe siècle), Vol 7, pp. 205-214

ICONOGRAPHIE CHRÉTIENNE

lundi 24 mars 2014

Saint IRÉNÉE de SIRMIUM, évêque et martyr

Archives du blog

Qui êtes-vous ?