Saint Clement, an apostolic father, remains an enigmatic figure with limited historical records. Known primarily as a disciple of Saint Peter and possibly Saint Paul, Clement’s legacy is intertwined with early Christian traditions. He is sometimes identified with the Clement mentioned by Saint Paul in Philippians 4:3, renowned for his devout service and whose name is inscribed in the Book of Life. However, this association is debated among scholars.

Tertullian, an early Christian author, credits Clement with succeeding Saint Peter directly in leading the Roman Church. However, historical lists from Irenaeus and Eusebius place him as the third bishop of Rome, following Linus and Cletus (Anacletus). This discrepancy might be attributed to the existence of two initial episcopal lineages in Rome, one tracing back to Peter and the other to Paul, which eventually unified. Clement is thought to have led the Petrine, or Jewish-Christian, faction, while Cletus led the Pauline, or Gentile-Christian, group.

Details of Clement’s pontificate are scarce, but he is notably remembered for addressing a schism in Corinth through a letter, an important early Christian document still extant. While Saints Jerome and Irenaeus did not describe him as a martyr, later sources like Rufinus and Zosimus bestowed the title upon him. In ancient Christian context, ‘martyr’ encompassed not just those who died for their faith but also those who bore witness to it through suffering or confession.

Legend details Clement’s martyrdom during Trajan’s reign, attributing it to a sedition against Christians in Rome. Arrested by Mamertinus, the city prefect, and sent to the emperor, Clement was exiled to Pontus and condemned to labor in marble quarries. There, he ministered to fellow Christian convicts and miraculously discovered a water source, marked by a lamb scraping the ground. His evangelistic success led to his execution by drowning, with an anchor tied around his neck. His disciple Phoebus later recovered his body.

Significantly, Saint Cyril of Constantinople transported some of Clement’s relics to Constantinople in 860, and others were eventually taken to the church of San Clemente in Rome. These relics include bones, reddened earth, a broken vase with red contents, a small bottle, and an inscription linking them to the Holy Forty Martyrs of Scilita and Flavius Clement.

Saint Clement of Rome is often depicted in art as a Pope with an anchor, symbolizing his martyrdom. He is believed to have died around 100 A.D.

Photo credit: PD via Wikimedia Commons
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10 COMMENTS

  1. this st clement piece makes no sense, it was obviously pulled out of some
    larger work. lazy editing and a stone for those seeking truth

    if u dont have time to do it right, dont

  2. Mr. Burke, if you claim that this history of disciple Clement has no sense, then prove it from reliable sources. Don’t make statements which can’t prove.

  3. Mr. Burke, if you claim that this history of disciple Clement has no sense, then prove it from reliable sources. Don’t make statements which you can’t prove.

  4. We beg you, Master,
    be our help and strength.
    Save those among us who are oppressed,
    have pity on the lowly,
    and lift up the fallen.
    Heal the sick,
    bring back the straying,
    and feed the hungry.
    Release those in prison,
    steady those who falter,
    and strengthen the fainthearted.
    Let all nations come to know you, the one God,
    with your Son Jesus Christ,
    and us your people and sheep of your pasture.
    Do not keep count of the sins of your servants,
    but purify us through the bath of your truth
    and direct our steps.
    Help us to walk in holiness of heart,
    and to do what is good and pleasing in your eyes
    and in the eyes of our rulers.
    Master, let your face shine on us
    to grant us every good in peace,
    protect us by your powerful hand,
    deliver us from every evil by the might of your arm.
    Grant us and all who dwell on this earth
    peace and harmony, O Lord.

  5. Pope Saint Clement, pray for us.
    All holy men and women, martyrs, saints, angels, pray for us.
    Holy Family of Nazareth, restore matrimony and family life.
    Transform all of mankind’s iniquity into integrity. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
    Blood of Christ Crucified, cleanse the Vatican.

    Guardian Angels, unite us to God each moment by using our vices to sting us and make us strive to overcome them by practising each corresponding virtue, through intentional acts of will, by love of you, our neighbour, and Him. Holy is His Name. Amen.

  6. Amen! St. Clement pray for my daughter’s conversion and,our conversion, amen!
    Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us,now and at the hour of our death, amen.
    O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come, now and forever, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen!

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