[a.d. 200-265.] The great Origen had twin children in Gregory and Dionysius. Their

lives ran in parallel lines, and are said to have ended on the same day; and nobly did they

sustain the dignity and orthodoxy of the pre-eminent school which was soon to see its bright

peculiar star in Athanasius. Dionysius is supposed to have been a native of Alexandria, of

heathen parentage, and of a family possessed of wealth and honourable rank. Early in life

he seems to have been brought under the influence of certain presbyters; and a voice seemed

to speak to him in a vision607 encouraging him to "prove all things, and hold fast that which

is good." We find him at the feet of Origen a diligent pupil, and afterwards, as a presbyter,

succeeding Heraclas (a.d. 232) as the head of the school, sitting in Origen's seat. For about

fifteen years he further illuminated this illustrious chair; and then, in ripe years, about a.d.

246, he succeeded Heraclas again as bishop of Alexandria, at that time, beyond all comparison,

the greatest and the most powerful See of Christendom.