Historical and Philological Analysis of the Correspondence Between Origen and Julius Africanus
https://doi.org/10.31802/BCA.2026.8.1.004
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to analyze the content of correspondence between two theologians of late Antiquity, Origen and Julius Africanus, whose scientific interest was focused on the study of Holy Scripture. Because the biblical canon has not yet been definitively accepted by the Church, in his letter Africanus criticizes the story of Susanna and doubts the inspiration of the story itself. And although Origen wrote a lengthy letter in response, his arguments were not completely convincing. Due to the transience of life, the correspondence of both turned out to be very short (one letter from each). Since any letter is an echo of the problems and questions that worried its author and his contemporaries, the article uses a historical and philological research method so that Africanus’ questions and Origen’s answers are accessible to the modern reader. Small biographical descriptions of minor figures mentioned in the theologians’ correspondence are also given. The discussion between Origen and Africanus was not over, but its appearance gave rise to biblical studies as a science.
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Review
For citations:
Evgrafov D. Historical and Philological Analysis of the Correspondence Between Origen and Julius Africanus. Bible and Christian Antiquity. 2026;8(1):150–187. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31802/BCA.2026.8.1.004
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