Christian Cyclopedia

Arose over the question of Origen's* orthodoxy; began when Methodius* (d. ca. 300/311) attacked Origen's teaching on preexistence of souls and denial of bodily resurrection; raged esp. in Egypt, Palestine, and Constantinople 394–438; Pachomius* and his followers opposed the mysticism and spiritualism of Origen's followers; Jerome* and Theophilus* of Alexandria first supported, then opposed Origen; Epiphanius* was one of the most zealous opponents of Origen. Origen was anathematized 553 by the 5th ecumenical council (see Constantinople, Councils of, 2). See also Rufinus, Tyrranius.