Jerome, Illustrious Men 54.1-21
created: This entry is taken from Illustrious Men 54.1-21 written by Jerome in 392-393 C.
edition published: 2023-06-30-05:00
language: la; la
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https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/287

Caesareae

,

Caesaream

, and

Caesarea

are directly attested at Jerome, Illustrious Men 54.1-21. This passage was written ca. 392-393 C.E. possibly in Bethlehem. Among his many works, St. Jerome wrote a catalog of renowned thinkers of the Roman world during the first years after his move from Rome to Bethlehem. In mostly brief sketches he describes the intellectual achievements, particularly writings, of 135 men, many leaders in the early Church. In his life of Origen, he portrays the early career of Origen at Alexandria, including his work in the catechetical program and visit to Caesarea in 216 C.E.

Origenes, qui et Adamantius, decimo Severi Pertinacis anno adversum Christianos persecutione commota, a Leonide patre Christi martyrio coronato cum sex fratribus et matre vidua pauper relinquitur annos natus circiter decem et septem; rem enim familiarem ob confessionem Christi fiscus occupaverat. Hic Alexandriae dispersa ecclesia octavo decimo aetatis suae anno κατηχήσεων opus adgressus, postea a Demetrio, eiusdem urbis episcopo, in locum Clementis presbyteri confirmatus, per multos annos floruit, et cum iam mediae esset aetatis et propter ecclesias Achaiae, quae plurimis heresibus vexabantur, sub testimonio ecclesiasticae epistulae, Athenas per Palestinam pergeret, a Theoctisto et Alexandro, Caesareae et Hierosolymorum episcopis, presbyter ordinatus Demetrii offendit animos, qui tanta adversus eum debacchatus insania est, ut per totum orbem super nomine eius scriberet. Constat eum, antequam Caesaream migraret, fuisse Romae sub Zepherino episcopo, et statim Alexandriam reversum Heraclam presbyterum, qui in habitu philosophi perseverabat, adiutorem sibi fecisse κατηχήσεων qui quidem et post Demetrium Alexandrinam tenuit ecclesiam.

[Ed. Bernoulli 1895] [Minor corr.]

Origen, also known as Adamantius [Man of Steel], when a persecution was raised against the Christians in the tenth year of Severus Pertinax [203/4 C.E.], was left in poverty around the age of 17 with six brothers and a widowed mother by his father, Leonidas, who wore the crown of Christian martyrdom, for their estate had been confiscated over his confession of Christ. When he was 18 years old, he undertook the job of the Catechetical School in the scattered church of Alexandria. He was later appointed by Demetrius, bishop of this city, as presbyter to replace Clement, and he enjoyed success for many years. When he had reached middle age, because the churches of Achaia were distressed by many heresies, he travelled to Athens by way of Palestine under the authority of an ecclesiastical letter. (Origen’s) ordination as a presbyter by Theoctistus and Alexander, the bishops of Caesarea and Jerusalem, was an insult to Demetrius in his mind. He became so raving mad at Origen that he sent letters across the whole world concerning (Origen’s) reputation. It is known that, before he went to Caesarea, (Origen) had been at Rome under the bishop Zephyrinus. Immediately on his return to Alexandria he made the presbyter Heraclas, who continued to wear his philosopher’s garb, his assistant at the Catechetical School. (Heraclas) is the one who led the Church of Alexandria after Demetrius.

[Adapted from Schaff 1892 and Halton 1999] [κατηχήσεων (syntax requires genitive of κατηχήσεις) refers to the Church’s educational program, catechesis.]

Works Cited

[...] 32-33 1-21
[...] 77-78 54.1-4

[Achaea

Alexandria

Athens

Jerusalem

Palestine]

[Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem

Clement, presbyter in Alexandria

Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria

Leonidas

Septimius Severus, emperor

Theoctistus, bishop of Caesarea]

[Christian Bible

Christianity

Death and Burial

Economy and Commerce

Education (sacred)

Family

Government and Law

Philosophy

Roman History]