Christian Cyclopedia

(Denis; ca. 190–ca. 264). “The Great.” B. of heathen parents; pupil of Origen*; head of catechetical school at Alexandria (see Schools, Early Christian, 1) ca. 232; bp. Alexandria ca. 247; fled ca. 250 in Decian persecution (see Persecution of Christians, 4); returned ca. 251; banished in Valerian persecution 257 (see Persecution of Christians, 4); returned 260. Involved in controversies. Readmitted lapsed into the ch. Opposed Sabellianism and Paul* of Samosata. Accused of tritheism* but defense accepted by Dionysius* of Rome. Athanasius defended his orthodoxy. Works include On Nature (against materialism* of Epicureanism*) and On the Promises (against Chiliasm; see Millennium, 3). See also Monarchianism, B 6.

MPG, 10, 1233–1344 and 1575–1602.