ABSTRACT
To categorize as an Origenist someone who lived during the first half of the sixth century is no simple matter, for Origenism cannot necessarily simply be equated at this time with holding the doctrines of Origen. The label ‘Origenist’ could be used for people holding a variety of theological positions. What they had in common was a high regard for the intellect, together with a flexible approach and a willingness to speculate.1 While the anathemas contained in the Imperial Edict of 543AD were almost entirely concernedwith doctrines contained in Peri Archon, those of 553AD also contain references to doctrines which were promulgated, not by Origen himself, but by his followers Didymus the Blind and Evagrius.2 It was the latter in particular who developed Origen’s thought to the extent that it was regarded as heretical. Evagrius was influential in Syria well before the anathemas of 543AD. Philoxenus of Mabbugh, Jacob of Serugh and Sergius of Reshaina were all influenced by him, but remained free of criticism on doctrinal grounds by other Monophysites.
