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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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