What does Origen say about the Church, the house of salvation?

There is no salvation outside the Church; it is the ark of salvation which receives light from Christ and is capable of interpreting the Holy Scriptures. Origen says, “If anyone wishes to be saved … let him come to this house where the blood of Christ is for a sign of

1055 St. Athanasius, Festal Letters 7.3 (NPNF II/4:524).

1056 St. Ambrose of Milan, Exposition of the Holy Gospel According to Saint Luke , trans. Theodosia Tomkinson (Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, 1998): p. 150.

redemption. For that blood was for condemnation amongst those who said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children’ (Matt. 27:25). Jesus was ‘for the fall and resurrection of many’ (Luke 2:34); and therefore in respect of those who ‘speak against His sign’ His blood is effective for punishment, but effective for salvation in the case of believers. Let no one therefore persuade himself or deceive himself: outside this house, that is, outside the Church, no one is saved … The sign of salvation (the scarlet cord) was given through the window because Christ by His incarnation gave us the sight of the light of godhead as it were through a window; that all may attain salvation by that sign which shall be found in the house of her who once was a harlot, being made clean by water and the Holy Spirit, and by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom is glory and power for ever and ever.”¹⁰⁵⁷