About the Author

ORIGEN ADAMANTIUS (b. 184/185 A.D. - d. 253/254 A.D.) Origen was born in Alexandria to Christian parents and became a scholar and early Christian theologian. He was a prolific writer in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, philosophical theology, preaching, and spirituality. In 202, Origen's father was martyred in the outbreak of the persecution during the reign of Septimius Severus. A story reported by Eusebius has it that Origen wished to follow him in martyrdom, but was prevented only by his mother hiding his clothes. His fame and the number of his pupils increased so rapidly that Bishop Demetrius of Alexandria, made him restrict himself to instruction in Christian doctrine alone. There was second outbreak of the Antonine Plague, which at its height in 251 to 266 took the lives of 5,000 a day in Rome. This time it was called the Plague of Cyprian. Emperor Decius, believing the plague to be a product of magic, caused by the failure of Christians to recognize him as Divine, began Christian persecutions. This time Origen did not escape. Origen suffered "bodily tortures and torments under the iron collar and in the dungeon...." Though he did not die while being tortured, he died three years later, at the age of 69, due to his injuries.