The '''Catechetical School of Alexandria''' was the oldest and most renowned of the Christian schools of the early Christian Church. The school was the focus for the development of the first system of Christian theology and the allegorical method of biblical exegesis. After the [[Christology|Christological]] controversies of the fifth and sixth centuries its influence waned. During the last decade of the nineteenth century the [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Church of Alexandria]] in concept re-established the Catechetical school as the Coptic Theological Seminary.

The Catechetical school grew in fame under the leadership of a long line of scholars, including [[Pantanaeus of Alexandria|Pantanaeus]], [[Clement of Alexandria|Clement]], [[Origen]], Heraclas[[Heraklas of Alexandria|Heraklas]], and Didymus the Blind. Origen was considered the father of theology in the Christian Church and was active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies, as demonstrated in his [[Hexapla]]. The school taught doctrine as well as instruction in Christian life, as Origen explained saying, ''If you want to receive [[Baptism]], you must first learn about God’s Word, cut away the roots of your vices, correct your barbarous wild lives, and practice meekness and humility. Then, you will be fit to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit''. In the broader sense, the school had a spiritual and educational effect on the [[clergy]] and [[laity|layman]] throughout the church.

The school attracted students from all of the Christian world of its time. Many of the students became leaders and bishops in their own local churches. Many leaders of the school rose to become [[archbishop]]s of Alexandria. Among these were [[Peter of Alexandria|Peter]], [[Achillas of Alexandria|Achillas]], and [[Dioscorus of Alexandria|Dioscorus]].

 [[Categoryfr: Church HistoryÉcole théologique d'Alexandrie]][[ro:Şcoala catehetică din Alexandria]]