Christian Cyclopedia

(ca. 185–ca. 254). Gk. ch. father; b. probably Alexandria, Egypt, of Christian parents; taught school and instructed catechumens in Alexandria 202; mystic and ascetic; mutilated himself on basis of a misunderstanding of Mt 19:12. Traveled to Rome, Arabia, Palestine, and Greece. His ordination in Palestine 230 was not regarded as valid in Alexandria; exiled; taught school at Caesarea in Palestine 231–233; travelled to Arabia, Cappadocia, and Nicomedia; suffered in persecution under Decius (see Persecution of Christians, 4). Doctrines held by, or attributed to, him are called Origenism.

Works include Peri archon (“On First Principles”); Contra Celsum; OT textual studies (Hexapla; Tetrapla); exegetical writings; sermons. EK

See also Exegesis, 3; Fathers of the Church; Millennium, 3; Origenistic Controversy; Philosophy; Preaching, History of, 6; Restitution; Schools, Early Christian, 1, 3.

E. R. Redepenning, Origenes: Eine Darstellung seines Lebens und seiner Lehre, 2 vols. (Bonn, 1841–46); J. Danielou, Origen, tr. W. Mitchell (New York, 1955); H. de Lubac, Histoire et esprit (Paris, 1950); R. P. C. Hanson, Allegory and Event (Richmond, Virginia, 1959).