ORIGEN OF ALEXANDRIA Turning now to Origen (c. 185–c. 254), we move not only into the third century A.D. but also back to the East to consider the theological vision originating from one of the great catechetical schools of the Ante-Nicene Period. The third catechist of the school at Alexandria (following Pantaenus and his own mentor Clement), Origen became the greatest biblical scholar (see his Hexapla and his commentaries on Scripture) and philosopher-theologian (see his De principiis) of his