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
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 Evêques 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 Evêques que sous le règne de Justinien.
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
Memorial
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
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irenaeus-of-sirmium/
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/
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.
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).
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
Sant' Ireneo di Sirmio Vescovo
e martire
6 aprile
† 6 aprile 304
Martirologio
Romano: A Srijem in Pannonia, nell’odierna Croazia, passione di
sant’Ireneo, vescovo e martire, che, al tempo dell’imperatore Massimiano, sotto
il governatore Probo, fu dapprima frustato, poi per molti giorni torturato in
carcere e infine portò a compimento il suo martirio con la decapitazione.
Il Martirologio Siriaco ed il Geronimiano lo
ricordano il 6 aprile; nei sinassari bizantini ed armeni invece è commemorato
il 23 agosto e nel Martirologio Romano il 25 marzo: quest'ultima data proviene
dal Martirologio di Lione e si tratta certamente di una svista dell’autore che
lesse nella sua fonte VIII Kal. invece di VIII idus apriles.
Di lui esiste una passio in greco e in latino, ma nessuna delle due recensioni
sembra l’originale; il Tillemont stimava che la redazione latina fosse stata
tratta dagli Atti del tribunale, ma recentemente il Simonetti ha cercato di
provare che la primitiva passio, oggi perduta, fu scritta in greco, che le due
redazioni oggi esistenti sono rifacimenti di essa, e che questa non aveva molto
valore storico, perché doveva essere un semplice panegirico composto su
tradizioni e pieno di luoghi comuni.
Ma, sfrondata da qualche piccola aggiunta retorica, essa rimane sempre uno
scritto abbastanza attendibile, degno di considerazione e sufficientemente
capace di informarci sulle ultime vicende del martire.
Ireneo era ancor giovane con moglie e figli quando, arrestato durante la
persecuzione di Diocleziano, fu condotto al tribunale del prefetto della
Pannonia, Probo; esortato a sacrificare si rifiutò energicamente e, persistendo
nella sua decisione, fu sottoposto ai tormenti. Durante la tortura arrivarono i
suoi parenti (genitori, moglie e figli) che lo supplicarono di avere pietà di
loro e della giovane vita, ma il martire meliore cupiditate detentus non si
lasciò commuovere. Li fece allora rinchiudere
in carcere, dove Ireneo dovette sopportare per molti giorni pene diverse. Ricondotto al
tribunale, ad un nuovo rifiuto di sacrificare, fu battuto con le verghe e
infine condannato a morte. Fu condotto
perciò sul ponte della Sava, chiamato Basentis, e dopo essersi spostato delle
vesti pregò per sé e per i suoi fedeli; poi fu decapitato e gettato nel fiume
il 6 aprile 304.
Autore: Agostino Amore
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/48580
