Any persons who by thus hearing the word, or by other means, were brought to believe the truth of Christianity, and to wish for further instruction, were strictly examined as to their character, belief, and sincerity of purpose.  The care with which such examinations were conducted is thus described by Origen:  “The Christians, however, having previously, so far as possible, tested the souls of those who wish to become their hearers, and having previously admonished them in private, when they seem, before entering the community, to have made sufficient progress in the desire to lead a virtuous life, they then introduce them, having privately formed one class of those who are just beginners, and are being introduced, and have not yet received the mark of complete purification; and another of those who have manifested to the best of their ability the purpose of desiring no other things than are approved by Christians Contra Celsum, iii. c. 51.  Cf. Const. Apost. viii. 32:  “Let them be examined as to the causes wherefore they come to the word of the Lord, and let those who bring them inquire exactly about their character, and give them their testimony.  Let their manners and their life be inquired into, and whether they be slaves or free,” &c..”  Such as were thus found worthy of admission were brought to the Bishop Presbyter, and received by the sign of the Cross S. Aug. De Symbolo, Serm. ad Catechumenos, § 1:  “Ye have not yet been born again by holy Baptism, but by the sign of the Cross ye have been already conceived in the womb of your mother the Church.”, with prayer and imposition of hands, to the status of Catechumens.