Passion of Irenaeus of Sirmium (complete)
Latin text: Gebhardt 1902 (OCR made for this site).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).
Passion of Irenaeus of Sirmium (title)
0Gebhardt, 162
Passio S. Irenaei episcopi Sirmiensis.
The Passion of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium.
Notes and citation
Summary: Title of the account.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (item number): XV. Passio → Passio.
Cite (SBL): Act. pref. (Gebhardt, 162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/0). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/0
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 1
1Gebhardt, 162
Cum esset persecutio sub Diocletiano et Maximiano imperatoribus, quando diuersis agonibus concertantes Christiani, a tyrannis illata supplicia deuota deo mente suscipientes, praemiis se perpetuis participes efficiebant. quod et factum est circa famulum dei Irenaeum episcopum urbis Sirmiensium, cuius iam nunc uobis certamen pandam uictoriamque ostendam; qui pro modestia sua ingenita et timore diuino, cui operibus rectis inseruiebat, dignus nominis sui inuentus est.
There was a persecution under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, at the time when Christians, contending in various contests and accepting with minds devoted to God the punishments inflicted by the tyrants, were making themselves sharers in everlasting rewards. This happened also in the case of the servant of God Irenaeus, bishop of the city of Sirmium, whose contest I will now unfold to you and whose victory I will show: by his inborn modesty and the fear of God, which he served with upright works, he was found worthy of his name.
Notes and citation
Summary: Introduction: Irenaeus, bishop of Sirmium, under Diocletian.
- The name Irenaeus means “peaceable.”
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (section numeral garbled): ?quod et factum → quod et factum.
Topics: Persecution, Church office
Cite (SBL): Act. 1 (Gebhardt, 162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/1). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 2
2Gebhardt, 162
Comprehensus itaque oblatus est Probo praesidi Pannoniae. Probus praeses dixit ad eum: Obtemperans praeceptis diuinis sacrifica diis. Irenaeus episcopus respondit: Qui diis et non deo sacrificat eradicabitur. Probus praeses dixit: Clementissimi principes iusserunt aut sacrificare, aut tormentis succumbere debere. Irenaeus respondit: Mihi praeceptum est tormenta magis suscipere quam deum denegans daemoniis sacrificare. Probus praeses dixit: Aut sacrifica, aut faciam te torqueri. Irenaeus respondit: Gaudeo si feceris, ut domini mei passionibus particeps inueniar. Probus praeses iussit eum uexari cumque acerbissime uexaretur, dixit ad eum praeses: Quid dicis, Irenaee? sacrifica. Irenaeus respondit: Sacrifico per bonam confessionem deo meo, cui semper sacrificaui.
So he was arrested and brought before Probus, governor of Pannonia. Probus the governor said to him, “Obey the divine precepts and sacrifice to the gods.” Bishop Irenaeus answered, “Whoever sacrifices to gods and not to God shall be rooted out.” Probus the governor said, “The most clement princes have ordered that one must either sacrifice or succumb to torments.” Irenaeus answered, “I have been commanded rather to undergo torments than to deny God and sacrifice to demons.” Probus the governor said, “Either sacrifice, or I will have you tortured.” Irenaeus answered, “I rejoice if you do, that I may be found a sharer in the sufferings of my Lord.” Probus the governor ordered him to be tormented; and while he was being tormented most cruelly, the governor said to him, “What do you say, Irenaeus? Sacrifice.” Irenaeus answered, “I am sacrificing, by a good confession, to my God, to whom I have always sacrificed.”
Exod 22:20 (22:19 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · 1 Pet 4:13 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Irenaeus refuses to sacrifice and is tortured.
- Exod 22:20 (Gebhardt's margin; LXX 22:19); cf. 1 Pet 4:13.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; line number inside a hyphenated word; section numeral garbled; the editor's margin leaked into the text): Ire- i5naeus → Irenaeus; Sacrificat → sacrificat; ? Probus praeses dixit: Clementissimi → Probus praeses dixit: Clementissimi; ? Probus praeses dixit: Aut → Probus praeses dixit: Aut; * Probus praeses iussit → Probus praeses iussit; ed eum → ad eum; Irenaeus 155. Ex. 22,90. respondit → Irenaeus respondit.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 2 (Gebhardt, 162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/2). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 3
3Gebhardt, 163
Aduenientes uero parentes eius, uidentes eum torqueri precabantur eum. hinc pueri pedes eius amplectentes dicebant: Miserere tui et nostri, pater; inde uxores lugentes uultum et aetatem eius precabantur. parentum uero omnium luctus et fletus erat super eum, domesticorum gemitus, uicinorum ululatus et lamentatio amicorum, qui omnes clamantes ad eum dicebant: Tenerae adolescentiae tuae miserere. sed, ut dictum est, meliore cupiditate detentus, sententiam domini ante oculos habens, quae dixit: Si quis me negauerit coram hominibus, et ego negabo eum coram patre meo qui in caelis est: omnes ergo despiciens nulli eorum respondit. festinabat enim ad supernae spem uocationis peruenire. * Probus praeses dixit: Quid dicis? flectere horum lacrymis ab insania tua et consulens adolescentiae tuae sacrifica. Irenaeus respondit: Consulo mihi in perpetuum, si non sacrificauero. Probus iussit eum recipi in custodiam carceris. plurimis uero diebus ibidem clausus diuersis poenis est affectus.
His relatives came, and seeing him being tortured they pleaded with him. On one side his children, clasping his feet, said, “Have pity on yourself and on us, father”; on the other side the women, weeping, appealed to him by his face and his age. There was mourning and weeping of all his relatives over him, groaning of his household, wailing of neighbors, and lamentation of friends, who all cried out to him, saying, “Have pity on your tender youth.” But he, as has been said, held fast by a better longing, having before his eyes the saying of the Lord: If anyone denies me before men, I too will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. So, disregarding them all, he answered none of them; for he was hastening to attain the hope of the heavenly calling. Probus the governor said, “What do you say? Be moved by their tears from your madness, and, taking thought for your youth, sacrifice.” Irenaeus answered, “I take thought for myself for ever if I do not sacrifice.” Probus ordered him to be taken back into the custody of the prison. He was shut up there for many days and subjected to various punishments.
Matt 10:33 (quotation, high confidence) · Phil 3:14 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: His family begs him to yield; he refuses and is imprisoned.
- Matt 10:33; Phil 3:14. “The women” renders uxores (literally “wives”).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR garble; OCR slip; line number in the text; section numeral garbled): preeabantur → precabantur; ? parentum → parentum; 8.564, ut dictum → sed, ut dictum; eaelis → caelis; i5 respondit → respondit; saoerifioa → sacrifica.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 3 (Gebhardt, 163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/3). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 4
4Gebhardt, 163
Quodam autem tempore media nocte, residente pro tribunali praeside Probo, introductus est iterum beatissimus martyr Irenaeus. Probus dixit ad eum: Iam sacrifica, Irenaee, lucrans poenas. Irenaeus respondit: Fac quod iussum est, hoc a me non exspectes. Probus indignatus eum fustibus caedi praecepit. Irenaeus respondit: Deum habeo, quem a prima aetate colere didici: ipsum adoro, qui me confortat in omnibus, cui etiam et sacrifico; deos uero manu factos adorare non possum. Probus dixit: Lucrare mortem. iam tibi sufficiant quae tolerasti tormenta. Irenaeus respondit: Lucror continuo mortem quando per eas quas mihi putas inferre poenas, quas ego non sentio, propter deum accipio uitam aeternam. Probus dixit: Vxorem habes? Irenaeus respondit: Non habeo. Probus dixit: Filios habes? Irenaeus respondit: Non habeo. Probus dixit: Parentes habes? Irenaeus respondit: Non habeo. Probus dixit: Et qui fuerunt illi qui praeterita flebant Sessione? Irenaeus respondit: Praeceptum est domini mei lesu Christi dicentis: Qui diligit patrem aut matrem aut uxorem aut filios aut fratres aut parentes super me, non est me dignus. itaque ad deum in caelum adspiciens et ad eius promissiones intendens, omnia despiciens nullum parentem absque eo se nosse atque habere fatebatur. Probus dixit: Vel propter illos sacrifica. Irenaeus respondit: Filii mei deum habent quem et ego, qui potest illos saluare. tu autem fac quod tibi praeceptum est. Probus dixit: Consule tibi, iuuenis. immola, ut non te cruciatibus impendam. Irenaeus respondit: Fac quod uis. iam nunc uidebis quantam mihi dominus Iesus Christus dabit tolerantiam aduersus tuas insidias. Probus dixit: Dabo in te sententiam. Irenaeus respondit: Gratulor si feceris. Probus data sententia dixit: Irenaeum inobedientem praeceptis regalibus in fluuium praecipitari iubeo. Irenaeus respondit: Multifarias minas tuas et tormenta plurima exspectabam, ut etiam post haec me ferro subiiceres. tu autem nihil horum intulisti. unde hoc facias oro, ut cognoscas quemadmodum Christiani propter fidem, quae est in deo, mortem contemnere consueuerunt.
At a certain time, in the middle of the night, while the governor Probus sat on the tribunal, the most blessed martyr Irenaeus was brought in again. Probus said to him, “Now sacrifice, Irenaeus, and spare yourself punishment.” Irenaeus answered, “Do what you have been ordered; do not expect this from me.” Probus, indignant, ordered him to be beaten with clubs. Irenaeus answered, “I have God, whom I learned to worship from my earliest years; him I adore, who strengthens me in all things, and to him also I sacrifice; gods made by hand I cannot adore.” Probus said, “Spare yourself death; let the torments you have endured be enough for you.” Irenaeus answered, “I spare myself death once and for all when, through the punishments you think you inflict on me, which I do not feel, I receive eternal life for God's sake.” Probus said, “Have you a wife?” Irenaeus answered, “I have not.” Probus said, “Have you children?” Irenaeus answered, “I have not.” Probus said, “Have you parents?” Irenaeus answered, “I have not.” Probus said, “Then who were those who wept at the last hearing?” Irenaeus answered, “It is the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, who says: Whoever loves father or mother or wife or children or brothers or relatives more than me is not worthy of me.” So, looking up to God in heaven and intent on his promises, disregarding all things, he declared that he knew and had no relative apart from him. Probus said, “Sacrifice at least for their sake.” Irenaeus answered, “My children have the same God as I, who is able to save them; but you, do what you have been ordered.” Probus said, “Take thought for yourself, young man; sacrifice, so that I do not use you up in tortures.” Irenaeus answered, “Do what you wish; now you will see what endurance the Lord Jesus Christ will give me against your snares.” Probus said, “I will pass sentence on you.” Irenaeus answered, “I rejoice if you do.” Probus, passing sentence, said, “I order Irenaeus, who is disobedient to the royal precepts, to be thrown into the river.” Irenaeus answered, “I was expecting manifold threats and many torments from you, and that after these you would also put me to the sword; but you have inflicted none of these. So I beg you to do this, so that you may learn how Christians, because of their faith in God, are accustomed to despise death.”
Matt 10:37 (quotation, high confidence) · Luke 14:26 (allusion, medium confidence) · Phil 4:13 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: At a night hearing Irenaeus disowns all ties for Christ and is condemned to the river.
- Matt 10:37; Luke 14:26. The narrator explains Irenaeus's denials of wife, children, and parents as his preferring Christ to all kin.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; line number in the text; line number inside a word; OCR garble; section numeral garbled; section numeral garbled; OCR slip): ? Probus dixit ad eum: Iam → Probus dixit ad eum: Iam; ? Probus indignatus eum fustibus c€aedi → Probus indignatus eum fustibus caedi; * Probus dixit: Luerare → Probus dixit: Lucrare; lrenaeus respondit: Lucror continuo mor5 θη] quando → Irenaeus respondit: Lucror continuo mortem quando; 9$ Probus dixit: Et qui fuerunt ili → Probus dixit: Et qui fuerunt illi; 15a2ut parentes → aut parentes; "itaque ad deum → itaque ad deum; tu autem fae quod → tu autem fac quod; ? Probus dixit: Consule → Probus dixit: Consule; Fae quod uis → Fac quod uis; quantam 2; mihi → quantam mihi; !? Probus dixit; Dabo → Probus dixit: Dabo; !! Probus data sententia dixit: lrenaeum → Probus data sententia dixit: Irenaeum; !? Irenaeus respondit: Multifarias → Irenaeus respondit: Multifarias; Subiiceres → subiiceres.
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution, Idolatry
Cite (SBL): Act. 4 (Gebhardt, 163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/4). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/4
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 5
5Gebhardt, 165
Iratus itaque Probus super fiduciam beatissimi uiri, iussit eum etiam gladio percuti. sanctus uero dei martyr, tamquam secundam palmam accipiens, deo gratias agebat dicens: Tibi gratias ago, domine Iesu Christe, qui mihi per uarias poenas et tormenta donas tolerantiam et aeternae gloriae me participem efficere dignatus es. et cum uenisset ad pontem qui uocatur Basentis, exspolians se uestimenta sua et extendens manus in caelum orauit dicens: Domine Iesu Christe, qui pro mundi salute pati dignatus es, pateant caeli tui, ut suscipiant angeli spiritum serui tui Irenaei, qui propter nomen tuum et plebem tuam productam de ecclesia tua catholica Sirmiensium haec patior. te peto, tuamque deprecor misericordiam, ut et me suscipere et hos in fide tua confirmare digneris. itaque percussus gladio a ministris proiectus est in fluuium Saui.
Probus, angered at the boldness of the most blessed man, ordered him to be struck with the sword as well. And the holy martyr of God, as though receiving a second palm, gave thanks to God, saying, “I thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, who give me endurance through various punishments and torments and have deigned to make me a sharer in eternal glory.” And when he had come to the bridge called Basentis, he stripped off his garments, stretched out his hands to heaven, and prayed, saying, “Lord Jesus Christ, who deigned to suffer for the salvation of the world, let your heavens be opened, so that the angels may receive the spirit of your servant Irenaeus, who suffer these things for your name and for your people, brought forth from your catholic church of Sirmium. I ask you and implore your mercy, that you deign both to receive me and to confirm these in your faith.” So, struck with the sword by the attendants, he was thrown into the river Sava.
Acts 7:56 (echo, medium confidence) · Acts 7:59 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Irenaeus prays on the bridge, is beheaded, and is thrown into the Sava.
- Cf. Acts 7:56, 59.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR garble of a hyphenated word; section numeral garbled): ?sanctus uero → sanctus uero; ?et cum uenisset → et cum uenisset; orauit dicens: * Domine → orauit dicens: Domine; ? te peto → te peto; pro- lectus est → proiectus est.
Cite (SBL): Act. 5 (Gebhardt, 165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/5). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/5
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.
Chapter 6
6Gebhardt, 165
Martyrizatus est famulus dei sanctus Irenaeus episcopus ciuitatis Sirmiensium die VIII. idus Aprilis sub Diocletiano imperatore, agente Probo praeside, regnante domino nostro Iesu Christo; cui est gloria in saecula saeculorum, amen.
The servant of God, Saint Irenaeus, bishop of the city of Sirmium, was martyred on the eighth day before the Ides of April, under the emperor Diocletian, when Probus was governor, while our Lord Jesus Christ reigns, to whom is glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Notes and citation
Summary: Date of the martyrdom (6 April).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR slip; chapter numeral): "VI. Martyrizatus → Martyrizatus; lrenaeus → Irenaeus.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Act. 6 (Gebhardt, 165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/6). (abbreviation not yet checked)
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/passio-irenaei-sirmiensis/6
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the original (Gebhardt, Acta martyrum selecta, 1902, or Knopf, Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten, 1913; new OCR, slips corrected as logged); compared afterwards with ANF where it has the text, otherwise re-read against the original.