Posted on 02/10/2011 4:22:22 AM PST by jacknhoo
St. Leonidas of Alexandria, father of the great Origen and martyr (Or LEONIDES.)
I have been searching and can find so very little about this saint...even though he is said to be one of the most well known of the several saints named Leonides.
If he is the most well known, I don't believe at this point, we must know anything at all about the rest of them. However, I am hoping that there are some on this site that may have access to more knowledge about him.
I appreciate any help you can offer, regarding this search for insight into his life here on earth.
What I know so far:
Excerpt from the Catholic Encyclopedia:
Church History Book VI: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250106.htm
Chapter 1. The Persecution under Severus. When Severus began to persecute the churches, glorious testimonies were given everywhere by the athletes of religion. This was especially the case in Alexandria, to which city, as to a most prominent theater, athletes of God were brought from Egypt and all Thebais according to their merit, and won crowns from God through their great patience under many tortures and every mode of death. Among these was Leonides, who was called the father of Origen, and who was beheaded while his son was still young. How remarkable the predilection of this son was for the Divine Word, in consequence of his father's instruction, it will not be amiss to state briefly, as his fame has been very greatly celebrated by many.
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St Leonides http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09179a.htm
St. Leonidas (Or LEONIDES.)
The Roman Martyrology records several feast days of martyrs of this name in different countries. Under date of 28 January there is a martyr called Leonides, a native of the Thebaid, whose death with several companions is supposed to have occurred during the Diocletian persecution (Acta SS., January, II, 832). Another Leonides appears on 2 September, in a long list of martyrs headed by a St. Diomedes. Together with a St. Eleutherius, a Leonides is honoured on 8 August. From other sources we know of a St. Leonidas, Bishop of Athens, who lived about the sixth century, and whose feast is celebrated on 15 April ("Acta SS.", April, II, 378; "Bibliotheca hagiographica graeca", 2nd ed., 137). Still another martyr of the name is honoured on 16 April, with Callistus, Charysius, and other companions (Acta SS., April, II, 402). The best known of them all, however, is St. Leonides of Alexandria, father of the great Origen. From Eusebius (Church History VI.1.2) we learn that he died a martyr during the persecution under Septimius Severus in 202. He was condemned to death by the prefect of Egypt, Lactus, and beheaded. His property was confiscated. Leonides carefully cultivated the brilliant intellect of his son Origen from the latter's childhood, and imparted to him the knowledge of Holy Scripture. The feast of St. Leonidas of Alexandria is celebrated on 22 April.
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The feast of St. Leonidas of Alexandria is celebrated on 22 April.
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Saint Leonides Martyr Died - 202 Alexandria, Egypt Venerated in Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodoxy Canonized - Pre-congregation Feast - 22 April Patronage - Large Families
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I find this same information posted on dozens of sites, leading me to believe nothing else is really known. So, again, I appreciate any help you may be able to offer.
Thank you, Jack
You may want to consult Philip Schaff’s “History of the Church”. I’m at the office now and can’t get to my copy. It is the most exhaustive (and most documented) work in this area I know of despite the fact it was written in the late 1800s. It is over 8 volumes long. I don’t know if more detailed information than you have found on Leonidas exists but, if it does, it will be in Schaff’s work. Pay close attention to the ample footnotes for other sources.
Was that the same “Leonides”, the same name that is also used in regards to the comets that are seen in the night sky during the nightime each November?
I don’t know. The reference in regard to comets may be based on Greek mythology as the name Leonides was big among ancient Greeks and Greek kings.
Hi Jacknhoo, couldn’t find much. This is from an edition of Butler’s Lives of the Saints.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/lots/lots131.htm#page_154
“ST. LEONIDES, Martyr.
THE Emperor Severus, in the year 202, which was the tenth of his reign, raised a bloody persecution, which filled the whole empire with martyrs, but especially Egypt. The most illustrious of those who by their triumphs ennobled and edified the city of Alexandria was Leonides, father of the great Origen. He was a Christian philosopher, and excellently versed both in the profane and sacred sciences. He had seven sons, the eldest of whom was Origen, whom he brought up with abundance of care, returning God thanks for having blessed him with a son of such an excellent disposition for learning, and a very great zeal for piety. These qualifications endeared him greatly to his father, who, after his son was baptized, would come to his bedside while he was asleep, and, opening his bosom, kiss it respectfully, as being the temple of the Holy Ghost. When the persecution raged at Alexandria, under Lætus, governor of Egypt, in the tenth year of Severus, Leonides was cast into prison. Origen, who was then only seventeen years of age, burned with an incredible desire of martyrdom, and sought every opportunity of meeting with it. But his mother conjured him not to forsake her, and his ardor being redoubled at the sight of his father’s chains, she was forced to lock up all his clothes to oblige him to stay at home. So, not being able to do any more, he wrote a letter to his father in very moving terms, strongly exhorting him to look on the crown that was offered him with courage and joy, adding this clause, “Take heed, sir. that for our sakes you do not change your mind.” Leonides was accordingly beheaded for the faith in 202. His estates and goods being all confiscated, and seized for the emperor’s use, his widow was left with seven children to maintain in the poorest condition imaginable; but Divine Providence was both her comfort and support.”
The Leonid meteor showers in August are named after the zodiacal sign of Leo, which governs that month.
No, they’re named after Leo, the constellation.
The one in August is called the Persiods, not Leonid, the later I believe is in November. Let me look that one up. Thanks. :)=^..^=
I believe you meant to say "Philip" Schaff.
You are correct. The Perseids are in August. But the Leonids are named after the constellation Leo all the same.
Thank all of you so much! This is all valuable information and regarding wonderful links, I will bookmark, explore and reference them frequently.
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