Greek philosophers
Dionysius of Alexandria
Saint Dionysius of Alexandria (or the Great) was a Greek philosopher, theologian and bishop of Alexandria, who was born in 190 AD and died in 264 AD in Alexandria. His teacher was Origen. He was himself a prominent theologian of the Alexandrian school.
When Origen left Alexandria, he was succeeded in the leadership of the school by Heracles and then by Dionysios. Similarly with the position of bishop. After the death of Demetrius, Heracles succeeded, and after his death (in 248) Dionysios.
Dionysios himself came to Christianity through reading the texts and searching for the truth.
Dionysios fled Alexandria several times. The first time was due to the persecution of Christians by the emperor Decius. Next, he was exiled to Libya by Emperor Valerian. He also stayed in exile in the Egyptian city of Meriotis.
Dionysios wrote several works in which he refutes Epicurean materialism based on Democritus' atomism. He also proves the Christian doctrine of creation. In another work, he denies that the Apostle John was the author of the Book of Revelation.
He held that any suffering is better than a divided church. So he was in favor of the readmission of those who had turned away from the faith through torture and persecution. He wrote this in a letter addressed to Novatian, who did not want to readmit the persons in question (unlike the Pope and Dionysius). The "Letter to Fabius" deals with a similar theme.
Saint Dionysius of Alexandria was inscribed in the Roman list of saints. His memory is venerated by the Roman Catholic Church on 17 November.