Section 254
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY-223 t CHAPTER IV. The number of his catechumens that suffered martyrdom. OF these, then, the first was that Plutarch, mentioned ahove, at whose martyrdom when led away to die, the same Origen of whom we are now speaking, being present with him to the last of his life, was nearly slain by his own countrymen, as if he were the cause of his death. But the providence of God pre served him likewise then. But after Plutarch, the second of Origen's disciples that was selected, was Severus, who presented in the fire, a proof of that unshaken faith which he had received. The third that appeared as martyr from the same school, was Heraclides ; and the fourth, after him, was Heron : both of these were beheaded. Besides these, the fifth of this school that was announced a champion for religion, was another Severus, who, after a long series of tortures, is said to have been beheaded. Of women, also, Herais, who was yet a catechumen, and, as Origen himself expresses it, after receiving her baptism by fire, departed this life. CHAPTER V. Of Potamicena. BUT, among these, Basilides must be numbered the seventh ; he who led away the celebrated Potamioena to execution, concerning whom many traditions are still circulated abroad among the inha bitants of the place, of the innumerable conflicts she endured for the preservation of her purity and chastity, in which indeed she was eminent. For, besides the perfections of her mind, she was blooming also in the maturity of personal attractions. Many things are also related of her fortitude in suffering for faith in Christ ; and, at length, after horrible tortures and pains, the very relation of which makes one shudder, she was, with her mother