The Philocalia of Origen

A Reader’s Edition

Ronald E Heine editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:2nd Oct '25

Should be back in stock very soon

The Philocalia of Origen cover

The Philocalia of Origen is a collection of texts excerpted from the third century church father Origen's numerous works. It was created sometime in the fourth century, perhaps by Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus. It is of special interest to scholars of Origen because it contains several excerpts from works that are no longer extant, or from works that are no longer extant in the Greek language in which he wrote them but only in Latin translations done in the fourth century or later. The Philocalia should also be of interest to beginners in the study of Origen because it consists of rather short excerpts from a wide range of his writings-homilies, commentaries, a theological treatise, apologetics-- which cover some of the most important subjects he discussed. Many of the annotations in the work have been made especially for those unacquainted with Origen's writings. This Reader's Edition, based on the Greek text of J.A. Robinson, is the first new English translation of The Philocalia of Origen in a century.

Heine's welcome new translation provides readers with an up-to-date English rendering of this ancient selection of Origen's writings, which promises to serve as "a convenient doorway into the vast production of his mind". * Scott G. Bruce, Late Antiquity *
There is much to admire about Heine's translation. He is adept at reordering the Greek into more natural English, making good use of the latter's propensity for abstract nouns and condensing Greek periphrasis. The result is a very readable text which is nicely laid out in paragraphs matching the facing Greek. This is a well-produced book which should meet its goal of introducing this compilation of Origen's approaches to scripture to students and general readers, few of whom are likely to be bothered by the cavils mentioned here. * H. A. G. Houghton, Journal of Theological Studies *

ISBN: 9780198893165

Dimensions: 235mm x 155mm x 15mm

Weight: 387g

256 pages