This early martyr was a disciple of St Polycarp, who in turn was a disciple of the Apostle John. St Irenaeus’ writings appear frequently in the Liturgy. He was martyred in the year 202.

He said: ‘For we offer to Him His own, announcing consistently the fellowship and union of the flesh and Spirit. For as the bread, which is produced from the earth, when it receives the invocation of God, is no longer common bread, but the Eucharist, consisting of two realities, earthly and heavenly; so also our bodies, when they receive the Eucharist, are no longer corruptible, having the hope of the resurrection to eternity’.

May you be greatly blessed this day, as you seek to be united with God in all things.