Fabianus, who was wonderfully designated Bishop of Rome by God.

GORDIANUS succeeded Maximinus as Roman emperor; (1) and Pontianus, (2) who had been bishop of the church at Rome for six years, was succeeded by Anteros. (3) After he had held the office for a month, Fabianus (4) succeeded him. They say (5) that Fabianus having come, after the death of Anteros, with others from the country, was staying at Rome, and that while there he was chosen to the office through a most wonderful manifestation of divine and heavenly grace. For when all the brethren had assembled to select by vote him who should succeed to the episcopate of the church, several renowned and honorable men were in the minds of many, but Fabianus, although present, was in the mind of none. But they relate that suddenly a dove flying down lighted on his head, resembling the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Saviour in the form of a dove. Thereupon all the people, as if moved by one Divine Spirit, with all eagerness and unanimity cried out that he was worthy, and without delay they took him and placed him upon the episcopal seat. (6)

About that time Zebinus, (7) bishop of Antioch died, and Babylas (8) succeeded him. And in Alexandria Heraclas, (9) having received the episcopal office after Demetrius, (10) was succeeded in the charge of the catechetical school by Dionysius, (11) who had also been one of Origen's pupils.

CHAPTER XXX.

The Pupils of Origen.

WHILE Origen was carrying on his customary duties in Caesarea, many pupils came to him not only from the vicinity, but also from other countries. Among these Theodorus, the same that was distinguished among the bishops of our day under the name of Gregory, (1) and his brother Athenodorus, (2) we know to have been especially celebrated. Finding them deeply interested in Greek and Roman learning, he infused into them a love of philosophy, and led them to exchange their old zeal for the study of divinity. Remaining with him five years, they made such progress in divine things, that although they were still young, both of them were honored with a bishopric in the churches of Pontus.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Africanus.

AT this time also Africanus, (1) the writer of the books entitled Cesti, was well known. There is extant an epistle of his to Origen, expressing doubts (2) of the story of Susannah in Daniel, as being spurious and fictitious. Origen answered this very fully. Other works of the same Africanus which have reached us are his five books on Chronology, a work accurately and laboriously prepared. He says in this that he went to Alexandria on account of the great fame of Heraclas, (3) who excelled especially in philosophic studies and other Greek learning, and whose appointment to the bishopric of the church there we have already mentioned. There is extant also another epistle from the same Africanus to Aristides on the supposed discrepancy between Matthew and Luke in the Genealogies of Christ. In this he shows clearly the agreement of the evangelists, from an account which had come down to him, which we have already given in its proper place in the first book of this work. (4)

CHAPTER XXXII.

The Commentaries which Origen composed in Caesarea in Palestine.

ABOUT this time Origen prepared his Commentaries on Isaiah (1) and on Ezekiel. (2) Of the former there have come down to us thirty books, as far as the third part of Isaiah, to the vision of the beasts in the desert; (3) on Ezekiel twenty-five books, which are all that he wrote on the whole prophet. Being at that time in Athens, (4) he finished his work on Ezekiel and commenced his Commentaries on the Song of Songs, (5) which he carried forward to the fifth book. After his return to Caesarea, he completed these also, ten books in number. But why should we give in this history an accurate catalogue of the man's works, which would require a separate treatise? (6) we have furnished this also in our narrative of the life of Pamphilus, (7) a holy martyr of our own time. After showing how great the diligence of Pamphilus was in divine things, we give in that a catalogue of the library which he collected of the works of Origen and of other ecclesiastical writers, Whoever desires may learn readily from this which of Origen's works have reached us. But we must proceed now with our history.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

The Error of Beryllus.

BERYLLUS, (1) whom we mentioned recently as bishop of Bostra in Arabia, turned aside from the ecclesiastical standard (2) and attempted to introduce ideas foreign to the faith. He dared to assert that our Saviour and Lord did not pre-exist in a distinct form of being of his own (3) before his abode among men, and that he does not possess a divinity of his own, (4) but only that of the Father dwelling in him. Many bishops carried on investigations and discussions with him on this matter, and Origen having been invited with the others, went down at first for a conference with him to ascertain his real opinion. But when he understood his views, and perceived that they were erroneous, having persuaded him by argument, and convinced him by demonstration, he brought him back to the true doctrine, and restored him to his former sound opinion. There are still extant writings of Beryllus and of the synod held on his account, which contain the questions put to him by Origen, and the discussions which were carried on in his parish, as well as all the things done at that time.

The elder brethren among us s have handed down many other facts respecting Origen which I think proper to omit, as not pertaining to this work. But whatever it has seemed necessary to record about him can be found in the Apology in his behalf written by us and Pamphilus, the holy martyr of our day. We prepared this carefully and did the work jointly on account of faultfinders. (6)

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Philip Caesar.

GORDIANUS had been Roman emperor for six years when Philip, with his son Philip, succeeded him. (1) It is reported that he, being a Christian desired, on the day of the last paschal vigil, to share with the multitude in the prayers of the Church, (2) but that he was not permitted to enter, by him who then presided, (3) until he had made confession and had numbered himself among those who were reckoned as transgressors and who occupied the place of penance. (4) For if he had not done this, he would never have been received by him, on account of the many crimes which he had committed. It is said that he obeyed readily, manifesting in his conduct a genuine and pious fear of God.