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During the first Christian centuries the schools of Alexandria and Antioch were the main theological centers. Alexandria emphasized the allegorical interpretation of Scriptures. Antioch focused on literal understanding. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant (see Hebrews 8:6). ... The Catechetical School of Alexandria (founded c. ... Antioch on the Orontes (Greek: Αντιόχεια η επί Δάφνη, Αντιόχεια η επί Ορόντου or Αντιόχεια η Μεγάλη; Latin: Antiochia ad Orontem, also Antiochia dei Siri), the Great Antioch or Syrian Antioch was an ancient city located on the eastern side (left bank) of the Orontes River about 30 km from the sea and its port, Seleucia Pieria. ...

The school of Antioch is best divided into three periods:

• the early school (270-early fourth century)
• the middle school (350-433)
• the late school (after 433).

After the early school of Antioch came into decline, the presbyter Diodore of Tarsus re-founded it in the middle of the fourth century as a semi-monastic community.

See also

• Alexandrian school