Heresy is like pride; all its slain are strong! – Part 2
In the previous issue, we discussed what was written in Deuteronomy 13:1–7: “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams…”—and how the Lord allows this as a test to see whether we will obey the false teacher, who seems like a prophet, or obey God. Let us now give examples of some of these teachers who held great status and yet erred, among whom is Origen.
There is no doubt that Origen’s errors were a severe trial for the Church. Such a teacher—who was the head of the Theological School of Alexandria, who had immense authority in teaching, who founded a renowned school of biblical interpretation, who trained many bishops, and who wrote an enormous number of works (it was even said that no human mind could comprehend all he had written)—was indeed a man of great stature.
Origen, who in his time studied the Holy Scriptures more deeply than anyone else, compiled his famous work Hexapla, consisting of six columns, in which he collected and compared the most famous copies and translations of the Scriptures over twenty-eight years, adding his commentary to them.
As a youth, Origen would rent libraries and spend entire nights reading in them. In his writings, he could dictate to several scribes at once. He was consumed with learning—reading and dictating even while eating.
Saint Gregory the Wonderworker was among his students, and Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian were among those who studied his writings. Later, Saint John Chrysostom defended him.
Origen was not only a great scholar; he also came from a devout family. His father was martyred, and his possessions were confiscated for Christ’s sake. Origen himself is counted among the confessors, in addition to his many virtues.
He was richly gifted, known for humility, patience, endurance, and chastity. He was a teacher of virtue as well as theology. Saint Gregory, Bishop of Neocaesarea, praised him; Saint Jerome in his early writings also commended his virtues; and Saint Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke well of him.
Origen traveled widely to teach. Whenever he was expelled from one place, he would go to another. Unbelievers opposed him so fiercely that even hall owners feared renting to him. Yet he endured all this for the sake of preaching and even wrote a book encouraging believers toward martyrdom.
Origen surpassed all his contemporaries—none equaled him in genius, knowledge, vast learning, literary skill, or depth of contemplation. None matched him in philosophy or theological reasoning.
He mastered both Greek and Hebrew, and his style was highly eloquent and persuasive. Saint Vincent of Lérins said of him, “Honey flowed from his mouth rather than words.”
He tackled the most difficult subjects, making them easy and clear. No teacher used Scripture more extensively than he did.
From his school graduated countless teachers, priests, confessors, and martyrs. He was admired by all; theologians and scholars from across the world came to learn at his feet. The entire Christian world trusted him.
He was treated with great respect everywhere—as a teacher and philosopher, almost as a prophet. Not only common people but also members of the imperial court admired him. The mother of Emperor Alexander marveled at his wisdom, and Emperor Philip (the first Roman emperor to become a Christian) was also among his admirers.
Even pagan philosophers were impressed by his learning and intelligence. The philosopher Porphyry said that Origen had reached the summit of human knowledge. Truly, he was praised by all. It would take too long to list all the honors and talents of this great teacher.
Such greatness was, without doubt, a test for the people of his time. Who could turn away from a teacher of such brilliance, no matter what errors were attributed to him?
But Origen did fall into errors. Pope Demetrius the Vinedresser (the 12th Patriarch of Alexandria) excommunicated him and condemned his writings—especially his book On Principles. Some defended him, claiming the errors in the manuscripts were the scribes’ and not his own.
Origen’s condemnation was a trial for the Church: would it remain steadfast in love for God or for this brilliant man? The Church chose God.
Origen has remained excommunicated since the third century until this day, and no one dares call him a saint despite his labors for the Church. When some Fathers defended him in the fourth century, Pope Theophilus (the 23rd Patriarch) renewed his condemnation. Saint Jerome wrote against him, and Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus, led the movement opposing him as one who had erred in faith.
The Church triumphed in this trial—choosing doctrine over the teacher. The most fitting phrase said of him was:
“O lofty tower, how have you fallen!”—
Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, El-Keraza Magazine, Year 9, Issue 21, May 26, 1978.
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