Origenists and origenism in 4th–6th cent. A. D. in history and historiography

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of some personalities who are called Origenists in sources and among researchers. The most famous personalities include Domitian of Ankyrsky and Theodore Askis. Both of them were appointed to prominent episcopal sees: Domitian – to Ancyra, and Theodore Askis – to Caesarea-Cappadocia. There are also two names of Origenists known to researchers – this is Nonn, gifted with mystical enthusiastic eloquence, and his constant friend Leonty Byzantium. It was Nonn who carried Asceis into the heresy of Domitian and Theodore. The next representative of this diaspora is Alexander Abilsky, who led the resistance of the monks of the New Lavra. In Caesar Baronius we find mention of another name of the Origenist – a certain Rufinus. The name Evagrius of Pontus is also associated with Origenism. Origenism before its condemnation in the middle of the 6th century. posed a serious threat to orthodoxy. Origenism is sometimes called «intellectual heresy» in the context of the connection of some of the ideas of Origenism with ancient philosophy.