There is a very remarkable passage in one of the
books attributed to Origen:


“Let us observe, O friends, what a change has taken
place in men. Yor the ancients (Greeks) celebrated the
natal day, loving one life, and not hoping another after
this. But now we do not celebrate the natal day, because
it is a beginning of gifts and temptations ; but we cele-
brate the day of death, inasmuch as it is a laying aside of
all griefs, and an escape from all temptations. We cele-
brate the day of death because those die not who seem to
die. Wherefore, we both observe the memorials of the
saints, and devoutly keep the remembrance of our parents
and friends which die in the faith; as well rejoicing for
their refreshing [which cannot be in Purgatory] as re-


1 See ante, Epist. Smyrn. p. 194.
