A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. Bishop of Tyre, but previously a count of the empire, was the representative of the emperor Theodosius at the council of Ephesus, where he took part with the Nestorians, A. D. 431. Immediately after the council, he hastened to Constantinople, in order to counteract the influence of the representatives of the party of Cyril on the emperor's mind. In this he succeeded for the time; but, after long vacillation, Theodosius at last declared himself against the Nestorians, and banished Irenaeus from his court, about A. D. 435. Irenaeus betook himself to his friends, the Oriental bishops, by whom he was made bishop of Tyre, A. D. 444. In an imperial decree against the Nestorians, which still exists, it is ordered that Irenaeus should be deposed from his bishopric, and deprived of his clerical character. The sentence was carried into effect in A. D. 448.