Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume III/Rufinus/Preface to the Translations of Origen's Books

Περὶ

᾽Αρχῶν

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Addressed to Macarius, at

Pinetum, 397.

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The Translation of the two first

Books of the Περὶ

᾽Αρχῶν was

issued soon after, or contemporaneously with the Apology of Pamphilus. The Preface to them was intended to remove prejudices by showing that Jerome (who though not named is clearly described) had been Rufinus’ precursor in translating Origen. The compliments paid to Jerome were no doubt sincere: but the use made of his previous action can hardly be justified. Rufinus knew well that Jerome’s view of Origen had to some extent altered, that a disagreeable controversy had sprung up at Jerusalem about him, in which he and Jerome had taken opposite sides: and that the animosity aroused by this had with the greatest difficulty been allayed, and a reconciliation effected at the moment when he had quitted Palestine. This Preface with the Translation of the Περὶ ᾽Αρχῶν was the most immediate cause of the violent controversy and the final estrangement between Rufinus and Jerome.

I am aware that a great many of

our brethren were incited by their longing for Scriptural knowledge to

demand from various men who were versed in Greek literature that they

would give the works of Origen to men who used the Latin tongue, and

thus make him a Roman. Among these was that brother and associate of

mine to whom this request was made by bishop Damasus, and who when he

translated the two homilies on the Song of Songs from Greek into Latin

prefixed to the work a preface so full of

beauty and so magnificent that he awoke in every one the desire of

reading Origen and eagerly investigating his works. He said that to the