Leonides of Alexandria (Greek: Λεωνίδης) was a Greek early Christian martyr who lived in the second and early third centuries AD.[1]
Saint Leonides | |
|---|---|
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| Martyr | |
| Died | 202 Alexandria, Province of Egypt, Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | Pre-congregation |
| Feast | 22 April |
| Patronage | Large families |
Biography
editAccording to the Christian historian Eusebius, Leonides' son was the early Church father Origen.[1] Eusebius also says that he was of Greek nationality.[1] In the same passage Eusebius tells us that Leonides was martyred during the persecution of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus in the year 202 AD. Condemned to death by the Egyptian prefect Lactus, he was beheaded, and his property seized.[2]
Family
editThe name of Leonides' wife is unknown, but she bore at least six children after Origen.[3]
Porphyry, a Neoplatonist, claims Origen's parents were pagans.[citation needed]
Leonides catechized his children well. Origen attempted to follow his father in martyrdom, but he was detained by his mother - it is said that she hid his clothes so that Origen could not leave the house.[4]
Feast
editThe Catholic feast of Leonides is celebrated on April 22.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Eusebius Pamphilius, Church History, Book VI, Chapter I
- ^ Kirsch, Johann Peter. "St. Leonidas." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Crouzel, H. trans. A. S. Worrall, Origen (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1989)
- ^ "Origen's father". Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ^ Butler, A., Lives of the Saints: St. Leonides, Martyr, accessed 23 December 2016
