The Crypt of the Church of Saint Ireneus, Lyon
A place of history - A place of remembrance
A place of prayer - A place of pilgrimage
A place of desecration in 1562
A place of reconciliation in 1997
"This ancient monument of the Christian faith, partly destroyed during the 16th Century by the rage of the Calvinists (Protestants) and, later, almost cleared of its ruins, has been restored to its original splendour by the offerings of the people of Lyon, and above all those whose names are inscribed near the door, under the protection of the Holy Martyrs" (The year of our Lord 1863)
"By means of communion with Himself, the Lord has reconciled man to God the Father, in reconciling us to Himself by the body of His own flesh, and redeeming us by His own blood." (Ireneus: Against Heresies vol 5, 14,3)
On the 28th June 1997, Saint Ireneus Day, this plaque was placed by the Christians of Lyon in this church which has witnessed the sad events of history: as a sign of ecumenical reconciliation in the spirit of the Second European Assembly at Graz, 23rd - 29th June 1997.
"My one regret, is that the Christians of Lyon are so ignorant of this holy place, despite its unique abilitiy to unite them to all the apostolic tradition of the Church in Lyon." (Père Louis Clément : ex-parish priest of Saint Ireneus : 1986)