The outstanding Alexandrian philosopher, philologist and theologian Origen (185–253) is one of the outstanding representatives of early Christian theology and biblical philology. The present edition includes his famous treatise "On the Elements" – the first experience of the Christian dogmatic system, in which the doctrine of Christianity was set forth in the categories of Hellenic thought (the translation from Latin was made at the Kazan Theological Academy at the end of the 19th century), as well as the 6th book of the "Commentaries on the Gospel of John", which had not previously been translated into Russian.

The treatise On the Elements was probably written around 228-230 and marked the end of Origen's stay in Alexandria. It should be noted that this treatise was published without the knowledge and against the wishes of Origen by his friend Ambrose. This work has come down to our time in the revision of Rufinus (IV century), in Latin (the purpose of the revision is to soften the condemned teaching of Origen). In addition, two extensive fragments of the third and fourth books of the treatise have been preserved as part of an anthology compiled by Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, entitled Philokalia.

The entire work is divided into four parts or books: "1 book. On the Spiritual World (God, Logos, Holy Spirit, Angels)", "Book 2. About the Material World and Man", "Book 3. On Free Will, Sin, Redemption and Eschatology", "Book 4. On the Holy Scriptures and the Principles of Their Understanding."

The Commentaries on the Gospel of John belong to the exegetical writings of Origen. They were written in refutation of the Gnostic teaching of Heracleon (a follower of Valentinus), who also composed commentaries on the Gospel of John. In total, Origen wrote 32 books of these Commentaries, only 9 of them have survived to our time. Book 6 of the Commentaries contains an explanation of the first chapter of this Gospel, verses 19-29. It should be noted that this edition of one of Origen's main works is not scientifically prepared and therefore can only be used as a popularly presented additional text in the study of the history of Christian theological science.

It must be said that among the outstanding ascetics and scholars of the early centuries of Christianity, Origen really rightfully occupies one of the first places. However, in some of his works he deviated very much from the Holy Tradition of the Church. In Origen's views there is a great deal that is controversial and, moreover, heretical. Thus, he recognized the pre-existence of souls and reincarnation; He asserted that salvation was in store for everyone, including fallen spirits. As a result, already under the emperor Justinian, in 543, at the Fifth Ecumenical Council, his teaching was condemned as heretical, and he himself was anathematized.

early Christianity, apostolic fathers, apologetics ru Tatyana Trushova If you found an error - write to e-mail saphyana@inbox.ru ExportToFB21 23.03.2012 OOoFBTools-2012-3-23-15-9-10-4 1.0 About the beginnings Amphora Moscow 2007 ISBN 978–5–367–00519–6

Creation

First Discourse on the Song of Songs

Preface

To His Beatitude Pope Damasus Jerome

Whereas in the interpretation of the other books of Scripture Origen surpassed all, in the interpretation of the book of the Song of Songs he surpassed himself. For in the ten books of commentaries which he wrote, containing almost twenty thousand lines, he explained this book so excellently, and with such penetration of the hidden mysteries, that even for this reason, It seems to me that what was said was fulfilled in him: "... the king brought me into his palaces" (Song of Songs 1:3). And so, leaving this work, since the translation into Latin of so many books and so lofty a work requires so much time, labor, and expense, I have translated more accurately than elegantly the following two treatises of Origen, which he wrote in the form of daily discourses for infants who are still feeding on milk, offering you only the taste, and not the food of his thoughts, so that you may understand, how highly his extensive works should be valued, if his short writings can be so pleased.