22. Апологеты

Since the 2nd century, apologists, or defenders of the Christian faith, have appeared in the Church. Some of them submitted their apologies to the emperors and rulers of the Roman Empire, wanting to win them over in favor of Christians. Others wrote in defense of the Christian faith against attacks on Christianity by pagan philosophy and paganism in general. The most famous of the apologists: Codratus, Bishop of Athens, philosopher Aristides, Saint Justin the Philosopher, Melito, Bishop of Sardia, Athenagoras, Tertullian, presbyter of Carthage, Minucius Felix, philosopher Hermias and teachers of the Alexandrian school Clement and Origen. Origen in particular became famous for his extraordinary talents and colossal works. Having received his initial education under the guidance of his father Leonid, he surprised him in his childhood with deep questions about the inner meaning of the Holy Scriptures. At the age of eighteen, he was already the head of the Alexandrian school and the leader of the great struggle that this famous school waged with the learned representatives of paganism. As an apologist, he is known for the remarkable work “Six Books against Celsus” - one of the most evil enemies of Christianity. Possessing comprehensive scholarship, Origen also wrote essays on other branches of theological science. The ancients attributed up to 6,000 works to him and adopted the name “adamant,” i.e., “diamond.” His works in explaining the Holy Scriptures are especially respected. However, the glory of this great man is partly obscured by some extremes that he allowed in his views (the opinion about the pre-existence of souls, about their simultaneous fall, about the cessation of eternal torment and forgiveness of the devil). You might be interested in: