Who was Origen? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Origen Adamantius, Origen of Alexandria

Died At Age: 68

Family:

father: Leonides of Alexandria

Born Country: Egypt

Theologians Egyptian Men

Died on: 253

place of death: Tyre, Lebanon

Notable Alumni: Catechetical School Of Alexandria

City: Alexandria, Egypt

More Facts

education: Catechetical School Of Alexandria

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1

Who is Origen and why is he significant in the history of Christianity?

Origen was an early Christian theologian and scholar known for his contributions to biblical interpretation and theology. He played a key role in shaping Christian doctrine and is considered one of the most important Church Fathers.
2

What were some of the key beliefs and teachings of Origen?

Origen believed in the pre-existence of souls, the eventual restoration of all beings to God, and the allegorical interpretation of scripture. He also emphasized the importance of spiritual growth and the pursuit of knowledge.
3

Did Origen face any controversies or opposition during his lifetime?

Yes, Origen faced opposition from some church authorities due to his unorthodox views, such as his belief in the pre-existence of souls and the idea of universal salvation. He was later posthumously condemned as a heretic by some in the Church.
4

What impact did Origen have on the development of Christian theology?

Origen's works had a lasting influence on Christian theology, particularly in the areas of biblical interpretation, eschatology, and the nature of God. His ideas and methods of interpretation helped shape the development of Christian doctrine.
5

How did Origen's teachings influence later Christian thinkers and theologians?

Origen's writings were highly influential on later Christian thinkers such as Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine of Hippo, and even some medieval theologians. His ideas on the nature of the soul, the afterlife, and the interpretation of scripture continued to be debated and discussed for centuries.

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Martyrdom of Father

In 202 AD, the then Roman Emperor Septimius Severus ordered the execution of Roman citizens who practiced Christianity openly. This also included Origen’s father who was a Roman citizen.

Since Origen himself was not a Roman citizen, he was spared. Soon, Leonides was martyred. As a result, Origen found himself responsible for taking care of his mother and six brothers.

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Later Years

In 203 AD, Origen got appointed in a Catechetical School in Alexandria. He took the position of a catechist. Eventually, he got a paid teaching position in the same school which came as a relief to his family that was in dire need of money.

While he was in his early twenties, he became less interested in grammar and instead more inclined towards philosophy. He discontinued his job as a catechist and was replaced by his colleague Heraclas.

He started portraying himself as a master of philosophy and this led him into a conflict with the bishop of Alexandria, Demetrius. Soon, he began traveling across various schools in the Mediterranean.

In 212 AD, he traveled to Rome which was considered to be an important center of philosophy at that time. He went on to attend lectures given by Hippolytus of Rome and was significantly influenced by logos theology.

In 213 AD, the Arabian governor sent a message to the Egyptian leader asking him to send Origen to his country so that he could meet him and learn more about Christianity. He went on to spend a short period in Arabia before returning to Alexandria.

In 215 AD, Caracalla, the Roman emperor visited Alexandria. Many students of the schools protested against him because of his policies. This angered the emperor who then asked his troops to destroy the city and kill the protestors. He also went on to expel all the intellectuals from Alexandria which prompted Origen to flee the city.

He went to the city of Caesarea Maritima in Palestine, a Roman province. Here, the bishops Theoctistus and Alexander became his followers.

In 231 AD, Demetrius asked Origen to go on a mission to Athens. On the way, he stopped in Caesarea where he was received with great warmth by Theoctistus and Alexander.

Upon Origen’s request, they ordained him as a priest. Upon hearing this, Demetrius got angry and issued a notice stating that Origen’s ordination as a priest, which was done by a foreign priest, was a clear act of insubordination.

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Between 238 AD and 244 AD, Origen spent much time in Athens. He went on to complete his commentary on the ‘Book of Ezekiel’ while living there. During the same time, he also began writing his ‘Commentary on the Song of Songs.’

In 249 AD, a plague in Cyprus broke out. Emperor Decius believed that the plague was caused due to the failure of the Christians to recognize him as a god. He ordered all the Christians to be killed.

This time, Origen didn’t leave. Instead, he bore all the tortures in the dungeon he was thrown into. In fact, orders were given that he was not to be killed until he renounced his faith in Christianity. Origen went on to bear two years of torture but never gave up his faith.

Major Works

Origen’s most important works include a criticism of the Hexapla, which was a large comparative study of the multiple translations of the Old Testament. In fact, Origen was the first scholar to introduce critical markers to any Biblical text.

Origen also wrote the “scholia” for the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah and the Gospel of John. Unfortunately, none of these scholia has survived.

Death & Legacy

In 253 AD, Emperor Decius was killed and thus, Origen was released. But his period in the prison had taken a toll on his health, and he died the following year at the age of 69. A tomb was erected in his memory at Tyre where he breathed his last.

Facts About Origen

Origen was known for his unusual practice of self-castration, which he believed symbolized his commitment to living a life of purity and devotion to God.

He was a prolific writer and is credited with producing a vast amount of theological works, including commentaries on nearly every book of the Bible.

Origen was a respected teacher and theologian in the early Christian church, and his teachings influenced many prominent figures in the history of Christianity.

Despite facing persecution and exile for his unorthodox beliefs, Origen remained steadfast in his faith and continued to defend his theological views until his death.

Origen was known for his charitable works, providing aid and support to those in need, regardless of their beliefs or background.

Childhood & Early Life

Origen was born in 184 AD, to pagan parents in Alexandria. His father was Leonides of Alexandria who was respected across the land. His mother’s name is unknown, but she was from a lower class. She did not have citizenship rights and as a result, Origen himself did not have the citizenship of Rome.

Leonides was a devout follower of Christianity. Origen also followed the faith and went on to practice it openly.

Origen Biography

You wanted to know

Who is Origen and why is he significant in the history of Christianity?

What were some of the key beliefs and teachings of Origen?

Did Origen face any controversies or opposition during his lifetime?

What impact did Origen have on the development of Christian theology?

How did Origen's teachings influence later Christian thinkers and theologians?