Irenaeus: born in Asia minor

We bring you a sound portrait of the great Father of the Church , Saint Irenaeus whose name means peacemaker. Bishop of Lyons , known as the Apostle of the Gauls he was the Church's first theologian . A programme written by Jill Bevilacqua and produced by Sean Patrick Lovett .

"..In the second century when Irenaeus lived theology had just begun and it began with an attempt to explain to the Greeks and Romans , a religion which was far newer to them than to the Jewish world where it had originated ..."

".. Irenaeus developed the manner of testing falsity . He set down the fundamental doctrines of Christianity and earned for himself the title of "Father of Catholic Theology "...

"..the clear mind of Irenaeus gave Christian theology stability and coherence , and his refutation of the Gnostics is still considered an essential and remarkably fairminded source for the history of the second century sects .."
Listen: