Overview

[a.d. 200-265.] The great Origen had twin children in Gregory and Dionysius. Theirlives ran in parallel lines, and are said to have ended on the same day; and nobly did theysustain the dignity and orthodoxy of the pre-eminent school which was soon to see its brightpeculiar star in Athanasius. Dionysius is supposed to have been a native of Alexandria, ofheathen parentage, and of a family possessed of wealth and honourable rank. Early in lifehe seems to have been brought under the influence of certain presbyters; and a voice seemedto speak to him in a vision607 encouraging him to "prove all things, and hold fast that whichis good." We find him at the feet of Origen a diligent pupil, and afterwards, as a presbyter, succeeding Heraclas (a.d. 232) as the head of the school, sitting in Origen's seat. For aboutfifteen years he further illuminated this illustrious chair; and then, in ripe years, about a.d.246, he succeeded Heraclas again as bishop of Alexandria, at that time, beyond all comparison, the greatest and the most powerful See of Christendom.