Veneration of Origen of Alexandria

[Reader Antonius]

Greetings again!

I wanted to ask about this topic because it is one that I find fascinating and personally relevant.

To be upfront to begin with, I love Origen of Alexandria. I love his passion for the Bible, journey to the priesthood (the long road I suspect I might be on), zeal for Christ, theological methodology, and many other things. I try to imitate Origen in various ways because I see a lot of myself in him (though I lack his prodigious genius).

All of that is tricky however because of the Fifth Ecumenical Council (which seems to have anathematized him) and his alleged beliefs and errors (including one odd one that I'm quite content not to imitate him on...).

What is an Eastern Orthodox position on venerating Origen, especially in a spiritual sense (e.g. treating him as though he is a saint)?

 

[Phronema]

What is an Eastern Orthodox position on venerating Origen, especially in a spiritual sense (e.g. treating him as though he is a saint)?

I don't think it would be a good idea since he was anathematized, and that puts him outside the church. He taught, and believed full on heresies though I'm sure he meant well. He also of course did have some good beliefs/traits, and so I'm not trying to put him down entirely.

Personally, I'd learn, and be mindful of the correct points of his, and move on. There are plenty of other great Saints out there (both pre, and post schism) to venerate in my personal opinion.

We'll see what others think on it, but that's my two cents.

Also, good luck on discerning the priesthood. That's an awesome calling for one to have.

 

[Reader Antonius]

I don't think it would be a good idea since he was anathematized, and that puts him outside the church. He taught, and believed full on heresies though I'm sure he meant well. He also of course did have some good beliefs/traits, and so I'm not trying to put him down entirely.

Sure, I get it. The "anathematization" (is that even a word, lol?) seems the biggest obstacle from both a Catholic and Orthodox view. I still question how much he held to the positions that he is alleged to have espoused, especially given his rather prophetic statement:

"O Church! If I who seem to be your right hand, bearing the name of priest and preaching the Word of God, should ever offend against your canon and your Rule of Faith, thus giving scandal: Let then the Universal Church in unanimous accord cut off me, her right hand, and cast me away from her." (Hom. in Josua 7.6)

But the anathema stands.

Personally, I'd learn, and be mindful of the correct points of his, and move on. There are plenty of other great Saints out there (both pre, and post schism) to venerate in my personal opinion.

A good point and I appreciate it.

Also, good luck on discerning the priesthood. That's an awesome calling for one to have.

My thanks! I still don't know if is my genuine calling, but the deep desire is there and I've already spent many years discerning inside and outside of seminary. Do pray for me.

 

[Phronema]

Sure, I get it. The "anathematization" (is that even a word, lol?) seems the biggest obstacle from both a Catholic and Orthodox view. I still question how much he held to the positions that he is alleged to have espoused, especially given his rather prophetic statement:

"O Church! If I who seem to be your right hand, bearing the name of priest and preaching the Word of God, should ever offend against your canon and your Rule of Faith, thus giving scandal: Let then the Universal Church in unanimous accord cut off me, her right hand, and cast me away from her." (Hom. in Josua 7.6)

But the anathema stands.



A good point and I appreciate it.



My thanks! I still don't know if is my genuine calling, but the deep desire is there and I've already spent many years discerning in and out of seminary. Do pray for me.

That's rather heartbreaking to read as it shows that he did deeply care. Really I guess we have it a bit easy by comparison to someone who lived in his time. All of these potential heresies have already been sorted out for us by others such as Origen, and all we have to do is be obedient. Lord have mercy!

As for the calling I do understand. I have something similar calling me, and would be a life changing decision. Those sorts of things certainly aren't to be decided easily. You certainly do have my prayers.

 

[Amittai]

We need to admire, in gratefulness to God, experts, enthusiasts and high achievers in scholarship and learning in all fields. This does not equate to revering in the sense you refer to.

It's necessary to discern the lives of others in addition to ourselves. This situation is the toughest ever. We have to examine whether we have consciousness of all the all-round meanings in Scripture and how to look after the downtrodden in ways that will last in the true God's eyes I Cor 13.

I didn't even know there was a section called St Basil the Great's Hall, I hope my reply is allowed here.

Are the fellow christians we surround ourselves with devoted mainly to side issues (compulsory confection, bad amplifying)? Why do we not pray for them better because otherwise we'll be saying, I'll ask the "blind" to mislead me, that's a good excuse. As equals in God's eyes, He really wants us to co-lead the leaders, not by humiliating them but by pulling on the common project in our intercedings before Him.

What was thought a way to behave, as to trappings, may be suddenly shown up as deceptive or near deceptive, if we are sharp.

Hence discerning is something all Christians must do, all the time, about everything.

Another Our Father said.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Origen is a heretic, so while we can appreciate his contributions to the Church, we do not venerate him.

St Vincent of Lerins says that while his followers did run with his errors, nonetheless his heresy is his own. and he was condemned locally even in his own lifetime.

 

[Reader Antonius]

Origen is a heretic, so while we can appreciate his contributions to the Church, we do not venerate him.

St Vincent of Lerins says that while his followers did run with his errors, nonetheless his heresy is his own. and he was condemned locally even in his own lifetime.

Sounds pretty definitive then. Thanks, Father!

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

Do you guys ever wonder if maybe some writings were falsely attributed to Origen ?

Or even maybe some things were interjected by someone else into his writings after his death ?


.

 

[ArmyMatt]

maybe, but he still taught heresy. so, he is a heretic.

 

[Lukaris]

I was felt a sense of tragedy with Origen; he was no Arius. He tried so hard & suffered torture & hardships for the faith despite his theological errors. I found some of his writings to be inspiring in becoming Christian again. He also witnessed his own father die for the faith.