Origen

Origen (/ˈɒrɪdʒən/; Greek: Ὠριγένης, Ōrigénēs), or Origen Adamantius (Ὠριγένης Ἀδαμάντιος, Ōrigénēs Adamántios; 184/185 – 253/254), was a scholar, ascetic, and early Christian theologian who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria. He was a prolific writer in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, philosophical theology, preaching, and spirituality written in Greek. He was anathematised at the Second Council of Constantinople. He was one of the most influential figures in early Christian asceticism.

Unlike many church fathers, he was never canonised as a saint because some of his teachings directly contradicted the teachings attributed to the apostles, notably the Apostles Paul and John. His teachings on the pre-existence of souls, the final reconciliation of all creatures, including perhaps even the devil (the apokatastasis), and the subordination of God the Son to God the Father, were rejected by Christian orthodoxy.

Origen’s Greek name Ōrigénēs (Ὠριγένης) probably means “child of Horus” (from Ὧρος, “Horus,” and γένος, “born”). His nickname or cognomen Adamantios (Ἀδαμάντιος) derives from Greek adámas (ἀδάμας), which means “adamant,” “unalterable,” “unbreakable,” “unconquerable,” “diamond”. He acquired it because of his severe ascetical practices.

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Author: Wikipedia

Keywords: Origen, Origen Adamantius, Church Father, Apostolic Fathers, Apostolic Church, Apostolic church father, Ante-Nicene, anti-nicene, Ante-Nicean, anti-nicean, Early church, Early christianity, Prenicene, Pre-nicene, Pre-nicean, Prenicean, early church father

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