The Phœnix an Emblem of Our Resurrection. - ANF09. The Gospel of Peter, The Diatessaron of Tatian, The Apocalypse of Peter, the Vision of Paul, The Apocalypse of the Virgin and Sedrach, The Testament of Abraham, The Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena, The Narrative of Zosimus, The Apology of Aristides, The Epistles of Clement (complete text), Origen’s Commentary on John, Books 1–10, and Commentary on Matthew, Books 1, 2, and 10

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The Phœnix an Emblem of Our Resurrection.
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Chapter XXV.—The Phœnix an Emblem of Our Resurrection.

Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phœnix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the deed bird, brings forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes⁴¹²⁰

⁴¹²⁰ I. διανύει (accomplishes its journey).
from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying⁴¹²¹

⁴¹²¹ I. omits ἐπιπτὰς (on the wing, flying).
in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.⁴¹²²

⁴¹²² This fable respecting the phœnix is mentioned by Herodotus (ii. 73), and by Pliny (Nat. Hist., x. 2). and is used as above by Tertullian (De Resurr., § 13), and by others of the fathers.
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