Abba Ho PaterSources
St Clement of Rome
Bishop of Rome
Κλήμης Ῥώμης (Clemens Romanus)
Clement, bishop of Rome in the late 1st century, wrote in his church's name to the church of Corinth; the letter is among the oldest Christian writings outside the New Testament.
- Born
- 1st century (not known)
- Died
- c. 99–101
- Feast
- 29 Hathor · Coptic commemoration per Wikipedia (about 8 December); the West keeps 23 November, most Byzantine churches 24 November.
- Era
- Late 1st century
- See
- Rome (Bishop)
Life
The ANF introduction takes Clement to have been probably a Gentile and a Roman who was with Paul at Philippi about 57, and the general opinion identifies him with the Clement of Philippians 4:3 [1]. He succeeded Linus and Cletus in the government of the Roman church [1]; Wikipedia dates his episcopate c. 92 to 99 or 101 [2][3].
He wrote in the name of the Roman church to the church of Corinth after a sedition in which presbyters had been deposed; ANF favours the Domitian period, about 97 [1]. The so-called Second Epistle of Clement is a homily by another author [1][2].
He died about 100. The Liber Pontificalis says he died in Greece; later Acts say he was exiled to the Crimea and drowned in the Black Sea, while Eusebius and Jerome mention no martyrdom [2][3].
Where the sources disagree
Episcopate: 88–99 or c. 92–100 (Wikipedia EN), c. 92 to 98 or 101 (AR). Death: 99 (Jerome), 100 (Eusebius), 101 (Liber Pontificalis). Date of the first letter: after Nero's persecution (c. 68) or Domitian's (c. 96–97); ANF favours the latter.
Timeline
- c. 57Probably with Paul at Philippi; commonly identified with the Clement of Philippians 4:3.[1]
- c. 92Bishop of Rome, after Linus and Cletus (Anacletus).[2]
- c. 96–97Writes, in the name of the Roman church, to the church of Corinth.[1]
- c. 99–101Dies; later tradition makes him a martyr exiled to the Crimea.[2]
Works
- First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthiansc. 96–97
- Second Clement (homily)2nd century
Notes
Bibliography
- ANF-01, Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement — Standard English translation with introduction.
- Wikipedia (EN), Pope Clement I — Cross-check.
- Wikipedia (AR), كليمنت الأول — Cross-check.