see a priest, he would be given all the books on the subject
freely. Acting on her advice he directed his footsteps to the
nearest priest and openly expressed to him his desire to learn
more about the “New Way”. The priest gave him more
books and spoke to him about Christ, the Saviour.
Soon after, Dionysius became a Christian, and joined
the Alexandrian School, where he studied under the guidance
of Origen, whose courage and virtues he assimilated.
Abba Heraclas, the would-be Pope, was at the time
also a disciple of Origen and thus he got to know Dionysius;
both of them proudly wore the philosophers' gown, and both
delved deep into the Scriptures. As a result of their
common. interest, a strong bond of fellowship and
understanding developed between the two and cemented
their hearts together in mutual love and respect.
- Meanwhile, Dionysius was ordained first deacon,
then priest, then teacher at the Alexandrian School, where he
was appointed by Abba Heraclas, who had become Dean of
the School. When the latter was chosen to sit on the Chair
of St. Mark and Origen refused to return to Alexandria,
Dionysius was appointed in his place as Dean. What more
natural than that, at the death of Abba Heraclas" Dionysius
would be chosen to succeed him as Pope? It was a
propitious choice for he had already become known as a man
of universal learning... verily a befitting title to one of the
great Fathers of the early Christian Church whose words and
deeds made the Chair of Alexandria a beacon to all the sister
Churches around it. - Dionysius was well versed in philosophy and
theology and even the heretic writings. Of this subject, he
wrote to Philemon, one of his friends: "I was at considerable
pains in reading the books and acquainting myself with the