Origen did not invent the idea that one must pursue purity of heart in order to understand the deeper spiritual meanings of Scripture. But his teaching ministry at Alexandria in the early third century gave this idea a deep and longstanding influence in the church.

In spite of the vying claims of Athens and Antioch, Alexandria served as the intellectual center of the Roman Empire at that time, and it was the Alexandrian synagogue that had first translated the Old Testament into Greek. The church at Alexandria was the heir to both of those traditions. Consequently, the other churches recognized the Alexandrian church as, in many ways, their teacher.

Following his predecessor, Clement, who died in 215, Origen established the exegetical standards of the church in Alexandria.

From its catechetical school would come forth some of the most famous names of Christian doctrinal history, such as Athanasius, whose teaching guided the Council of Nicaea in 325, and Cyril, who dominated the Council of ...

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