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The Catholic Encyclopedia states, "Demetrius is the first Alexandrian bishop of whom anything is known." While Jerome claimed that Demetrius sent Pantaenus on a mission to India, it is likely that Clement had succeeded Pantaenus as the head of the Catechetical School before the accession of Demetrius. When Clement retired (c. 203), Demetrius appointed Origen, who was in his eighteenth year, as Clement's successor. While Demetrius was a scholar in his own right, taking part in the controversy over the proper calculation of Easter that preoccupied the Church in the time of Pope Victor I, Origen's brilliance eventually outshone Demetrius, and it is in his relationship with the famous theologian that Demetrias is defined in history.

Demetrius gave Origen encouragement at the beginning of his career, and is said to have shown him favor. He dispatched Origen to the governor of Arabia, who had requested his presence in letters to the prefect of Egypt as well as to Demetrius. When the Emperor CaracallaCaracalla ( April 4, 186 April 8, 217) was emperor of the Roman Empire from AD 211 217. Born in Lyons in the province of Gaul in 186, he was the son of the future emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. His given name was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, but sacked Alexandria ( 215Events Caracalla's Roman troops massacre the population of Alexandria, Egypt. Caracalla introduces a new coin, the Antoninianus. Births Deaths 215.) in punishment for their satire directed at him, Origen fled to Caesarea, where the bishops present requested that he give sermons. Demetrius wrote to him a rebuke that this activity was not fitting for a layman. Bishops Alexander of Jerusalem and Theoctistus of Caesarea wrote in his defense and mentioned precedents for laymen to give sermons, but despite their efforts Demetrius recalled Origen. Once Origen was back in Alexandria, the strain in their relationship eased.

In 230 Origen was asked to settle a dispute in Achaia which required his presence, so he set out by way of PalestineFor varying definitions, see definitions of Palestine. Palestine ( Latin: Syria Palaestina Hebrew: Palestina Eretz Yisrael Arabic: Filasin , is a region in the Middle East extending inland from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Its political sta, perhaps without the permission of Demetrius. Moreover, Origen was ordained priest at Caesarea without leave (Eusebius, H.E. VI,23). When Demetrius learned of this, he considered it an act of insubordination, which ended their relationship. Demetrius convened a synodA synod (also known as a council is a council of a church, usually a Christian church, convened to decide an issue of doctrine or administration. An ecumenical council is so named because it is a synod of the whole church (or, more accurately, of what tho in 232 that banished Origen, then sent a formal condemnation of Origen to all the churches. Rome accepted the decision, but PalestineFor varying definitions, see definitions of Palestine. Palestine ( Latin: Syria Palaestina Hebrew: Palestina Eretz Yisrael Arabic: Filasin , is a region in the Middle East extending inland from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Its political sta, PhoeniciaPlease see the article's for more information. Phoenicia was an ancient civilization with its heartland along the coastal plain of what is now Lebanon and Syria. Phoenician civilization was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread right across, Arabia, Achaia rejected it. From Caesarea Origen sent forth letters in his own defence, and attacked Demetrius.

Demetrius put the Catechetical School under the charge of Heraclas , the first pupil of Origen, who had long been his assistant. This may have been Demetrius' final act as bishop.