Chapter 6, Severus to Decius Summary and Analysis

Severus persecuted the Church in his time, which produced further "glorious" martyrdoms. Most of these occurred in Alexandria, one example being Origen and his father Leonides. Origen is an important church father, so he is discussed at some length. Origen was born ten years after Severus became Roman Emperor; Demetrius was bishop.

Origen observed martyrdoms as a child and vowed to charge headlong into the fight for the faith. He was deeply devoted to God; when his father was martyred, he was seventeen with his mother and at least six younger brothers. They were impoverished but were helped by a wealthy heretic woman. However, she was devoted to Origen, despite his telling her that he was devoted to orthodoxy. As he grew up, he was dedicated to good Christian teaching and taught Plutarch, a Pagan...