Five of the Disciples of Origen

At this time Origen, though only eighteen years old, was a teacher of the faith at Alexandria, in Egypt, where he taught with such excellence, not only to begin with Christ, but also to die with Him, that many of his disciples laid down their lives for the truth of Christ. Among these are mentioned, by name, Plutarch, Heraclides, Hero, and two other men, both called Serenus. Their suffering and death came about in this way. Origen, the teacher of these pious people, made a practice of going into the prison to the martyrs who suffered for the name of Jesus Christ, to strengthen them in the faith. Indeed, even when they had already received their sentence of death, and were making their last defense, he stood by them, and at parting gave them the kiss of peace, as a token of his sincere love.

When Plutarch, his beloved disciple, was led out to death, Origen comforted him, as was his custom, and for this the raging crowd would have killed him, if divine Providence had not protected him. After this Plutarch was put to death for the name of Jesus Christ, and died as a martyr.

After the death of Plutarch, the first of the two men named Serenus was brought out and burned. His faith, as is stated, was tried with fire, even though he was still a catechumen, that is, one who had been instructed but had not yet received baptism.

The third of these martyrs is called Heraclides, and the same is said of his faith as is recorded of Serenus, namely, that he too was still under instruction, and had not yet been baptized, but was preparing for it. And so he sealed his faith not with water, but with his blood. He was beheaded with the ax.

The fourth who was put to death for the same faith was Hero, who is called a novice in the faith, that is, one who had only lately accepted the faith with baptism. Having commended his soul into the hands of God, he too was beheaded with the ax.

Besides these four martyrs, a fifth is mentioned, who was the second of the two men named Serenus spoken of above. Since he refused to renounce the faith, he was beheaded after many severe torments, like the two last mentioned; and so he came to a blessed end, together with his slain fellow brothers. Compare Euseb., book 6, chapter 4, with Abr. Mell., 1st book, folio 57, columns 2, 3. Also, Joh. Gys. Hist., folio 18, column 3, after Leonides, the father of Origen. Also, Introduction, folio 39, column 1, from Eusebius.