CHAPTER XXI

THE BISHOPS THAT WERE NOTED AT THIS TIME

ANTONINE reigned seven years and six months, and was succeeded by Macrinus; and he, after the lapse of a year, was succeeded by another Antonine, in the sovereignty of Rome. In the first year of the latter, Zephyrinus the bishop of Rome, departed this life, after having charge of the church eighteen years. He was succeeded in the episcopate by Callisthus, who survived him five years, and left the church to Urbanus, After these the government of Rome was held by the emperor Alexander, Antonine having lived only four years from the commencement of his reign. At this time, also, Philetas succeeds Asclepiades in the church of Antioch. But Mamæa, the emperor’s mother, a woman distinguished for her piety and religion, when the fame of Origen had now been every where spread abroad, so that it also reached her ears, was very eager both to be honoured with a sight of the man, and to make trial of his skill in divine things, so greatly extolled. Therefore, whilst staying at Alexandria, she sent for him by a military escort. With her he staid some time, exhibiting innumerable matters calculated to promote the glory of the Lord, and to evince the excellence of divine instruction, after which he hastened back again to his accustomed engagements.