St. Irenaeus, June 28
A disciple of St. Polycarp from Asia Minor, Irenaeus became bishop of Lyon after the martyrdom of St. Pothinus in 177. His work Against Heresies defended the faith against Gnosticism and is a key witness to the early Church. Pope Francis named him a Doctor of the Church in 2022.
On the General Roman Calendar, June 28 is a memorial: Saint Irenaeus, bishop, martyr and doctor.
Name days on June 28
In countries that keep name days, June 28 is the day for people named Irenaeus.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Irenaeus | June 28 |
June 28 on the calendar
June 28 is the 179th day of the year (the 180th in a leap year), with 186 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping June 28
June 28 falls in summer. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Irenaeus, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around June 28
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| June 25 | St. William of Montevergine |
| June 26 | St. Josemaría Escrivá |
| June 27 | St. Cyril of Alexandria |
| June 29 | Sts. Peter and Paul |
| June 30 | First Martyrs of the Church of Rome |
| July 1 | St. Junípero Serra |
The day before, June 27, is the day of St. Cyril of Alexandria. The day after, June 29, belongs to Sts. Peter and Paul. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.