IERACA. — Ascetic in Egypt (taken from Leontopolis), who lived in the 3rd century. The principal source of our present knowledge is Epiphanius (Haer., 67; cf. also 55, 6; 69, 7; Ancor., 82; Augustine, De haer., 47). He was conversant with Greek and Egyptian language and literature; that he was a disciple of Origen is an insinuation of Epiphanius. He knew by heart the writings of the Old and New Testaments. He wrote biblical commentaries (e.g., on the Hexaemeron) in Greek and Coptic and composed new psalms.
The novelty of the doctrine of Jesus in contrast to the Old Testament was, according to J., encratism. He denied the resurrection of the body and the blessedness of children, even of the baptized, because they had not yet attained to asceticism.
According to Epiphanius (Coptic sources do not mention this), he would have taught strange speculations about the Holy Spirit, based on the Ascension of Isaiah (ch. 9). Melchizedek would be the representation of the Holy Spirit. Probably J. was an heir of the encratite tradition in Egypt (Gospel of the Egyptians, Julius Cassianus). In Egypt he was opposed by Athanasius (2), De virginitate (written in Coptic); cf. Th. Lefort, in Le Muséon, 42 (1929), pp. 250, 252 and in the major review of the Historia Laudica (Revue de l'Orient chrét., 3rd series, 5 [1925-26], p. 263). Epiphanius leaves open the question whether I. was a magician.