At this time, while Origen was carrying out the work of catechizing at Alexandria, he performed a certain deed which, though springing from an immature and youthful mind, yet contained a very great proof at once of faith and of self-control.
For taking the saying, 「There are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens,」 in too simple and youthful a manner, and thinking at once to fulfil the Saviour's word, and at the same time, because being young in age he was conversing on divine things not with men only but with women also, that he might shut out every suspicion of base slander from the unbelievers, he was impelled to fulfil the Saviour's saying by deeds, taking care to escape the notice of most of his acquaintances about him.
But, as it turned out, it was not possible for him, much as he wished it, to conceal so great a deed. Demetrius indeed, learning of it afterward, inasmuch as he presided over the community there, marvelled greatly at him for the rash act; yet, approving the eagerness and the genuineness of his faith, he forthwith bade him take courage, and now all the more urged him to hold fast to the work of catechizing.
But that was the sort of man he was at that time. Not long afterward, however, this same man, seeing him prospering and being great and illustrious and renowned among all, was affected by something merely human and attempted to write to the bishops throughout the world that what had been done by him was utterly monstrous—this at a time when the most approved and eminent bishops in Palestine, those of Caesarea and of Jerusalem, judging Origen worthy of precedence and of the highest honour, laid hands upon him for the presbyterate.
At that time, then, when he had advanced to great glory, and had won among all men everywhere a name and a renown for virtue and wisdom that was no small thing, Demetrius, being well supplied with no other accusation, made a dreadful slander out of the act that had befallen him long before, while a boy, daring to include in his accusations those who had advanced him to the presbyterate.
These things, then, took place a little later. But at that time Origen was carrying out the work of divine teaching at Alexandria without reserve toward all who came to him, night and day, unweariedly devoting his whole leisure to the divine lessons and to those who frequented his company.
After Severus had held the rule for eighteen years, Antoninus his son succeeded him. At this time, one of those who had quitted themselves like men in the persecution, and after the contests of confession had been preserved through the providence of God, was Alexander, whom we recently indicated to have been bishop of the church in Jerusalem; inasmuch as he had distinguished himself in the confessions for Christ, he was counted worthy of the aforesaid episcopate, while Narcissus, who was before him, was still living.