Codex 120

[Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses]

Read the work of Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons,[1] entitled the Refutation and Subversion of Knowledge falsely so calledor Against Heresies,in five books. The first, in which Valentinus and his impious heresy are discussed, begins as far back as Simon Magus [2] and goes down to Tatian,[3] who, at first a disciple of Justin Martyr,[4] afterwards fell headlong into heresy. It also deals with those who are properly called Gnostics and the Cainites,[5] setting forth their abominable doctrines. Such is the contents of the first book. In the second the impious dogmas of the heretics are refuted. The third quotes all kinds of testimony from the Scriptures against them. The fourth answers certain difficulties put forward by the heretics. The fifth shows that all that was said and done by the Lord in the form of parables, derived both from His saving doctrine and from the apostolic epistles, is suited for the refutation of the claptrap of the heretics.

St. Irenaeus is said to have been the author of many other works of various kinds including letters, in some of which it should be observed that the exact truth of the doctrines of the Church appears to be falsified by spurious arguments.

It is said that he was a pupil of the holy martyr Polycarp,[6]bishop of Smyrna, and was presbyter to Pothinus, whom he succeeded in the bishopric of Lyons. At that time Victor was pope of Rome, whom Irenaeus frequently exhorted by letter not to excommunicate any members of the Church on account of a disagreement about Easter.