DEMETRIO, PATRIARCA DI ALESSANDRIA

DEMETRIUS, Patriarch of ALEXANDRIA. — He succeeded Julian in 189 and held the episcopal see for a full 43 years. His name is linked to that of Origen. In 203, in fact, when the persecution of Septimius Severus dispersed the school of Alexandria, D. did not hesitate to entrust its direction to the young Origen, who was still eighteen years old. Their relationship remained cordial even after the rash act of the young master, who took a Gospel precept literally. A first rupture, however, occurred when the bishops of Caesarea and Jerusalem allowed Origen, though still a layman, to preach to the faithful in church. The definitive break came in 230 when the same two bishops ordained Origen to the priesthood without D.’s knowledge. He recalled Origen to Alexandria and, in two synods, deposed him from teaching and the presbyterate, forcing him into exile (231). Shortly afterward, in 232, D. died.