IERACA. - An ascetic in Egypt (at Leontopolis), who lived in the third century. The principal source of present knowledge is Epifanio (Haeres., 67; cf. also 55, 6; 69, 7; Ancor., 82; Agostino, De haer., 47). He was learned in Greek and Egyptian language and literature; that he was a disciple of Origene is an insinuation of Epifanio. He knew the writings of the Old and New Testament by heart. He wrote biblical commentaries (e.g., on the Hexaemeron) in Greek and Coptic
and composed new psalms. According to J., the novelty of the doctrine of Gesù in comparison with the Old Testament was encratism. He denied the Resurrection of the bodies and the blessedness of children, even of those baptized, because they had not yet attained asceticism.
According to Epifanio (the Coptic sources do not mention it), he taught strange speculations concerning the Holy Spirit, based on the Ascension of Isaiah (ch. 9). Melchisedech would be the representation of the Holy Spirit. J. was probably an heir to the tradition of the encratites in Egypt (Gospel of the Egyptians, Giulio Cassiano). In Egypt he was opposed by Atanasio (?), De virginitate (a Coptic writing); cf. Th. Lefort, in Le Muséon, 42 (1929), pp. 250, 252 and in the longer recension of the Historia Lausiaca (Revue de l'Orient chrét., 3rd series, 5 [1925-26], p. 263). Epifanio leaves open the question whether I. was a magician.