Clement I

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88 to 97
Pope #4
St. Anacletus (76-88)
St. Evaristus (97-105)

Clemens Romanus
in Rome

Pope Clement I

Biography:

He was a bishop of Rome, the fourth pope, although possibly the third or second, before Pope Anacletus (76-88). Tertullian says that he was the first successor, after St. Peter (32-67). He is considered the first of the "Apostolic Fathers", a label used by the Roman Catholic church to those early writers who were believed to have had personal contact with the Apostles.

Patron Saint of Mariners

Clement I

He is called the patron "saint of mariners" due to a story starting in the 6th century, where the Emperor Trajanus (98-117) sentenced Clement to hard labour in Crimea, and martyred there by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea. There is no evidence to support this however, and some earlier sources say that he died a natural death.

Clements bones found

In 868, the bones, as well as an anchor were claimed to have been dug up by St. Cyril, who brought them to Rome, and presented before Pope Adrian II (867-872). They are said to be under the high altar of the Basilica of St. Clement in Rome. This claim was most likely fabricated to gain a higher payment for such valuable relics.

Throughout most of the early centuries, priests would pay people who would bring them bones of saints. This was done for the "veneration of saints" as ordered by the church. The Council of Trent claimed that the bones would bring "many benefits", and condemned those that did not participate, even excommunication. Graveyards throughout Rome were looted, and church tombs had to be watched by armed guards around the clock. In 609, Pope Boniface IV (608-615) had "twenty-eight cartloads of sacred bones" placed under the high alter when he converted the Pantheon into a Christian church. In 817, Pope Paschal I (817-824) had 2300 bodies of martyrs dug up and moved to the new church of St. Prassede. There are many more such cases.

Letters of Clement

Pope Clement I is credited with writing a letter to the Church in Corinth, called 1 Clement. The Liber Pontificalis claims that he wrote two letters; however, recent scholars believe the second epistle, "2 Clement" to be a fraud.

Church conflict

In his letter, Clement I argues for a strict order of church authority, where the members are to obey church leaders by "submitting the neck", and those who refuse, are against God. He further warns that whosoever disobeys, are to "receive the death penalty". The letter isn't signed by Clement I, but rather is written in plural, addressed from the Church at Rome to the Church at Corinth, and appears to be instructing, or warning the Church at Corinth to follow the doctrines as outlined by the Church at Rome. This is the first letter showing a clear division of church authority, and possibly between the early churches and the Church of Rome.

For ye will give us great joy and gladness, if ye render obedience unto the things written by us through the Holy Spirit, and root out the unrighteous anger of your jealousy, according to the entreaty which we have made for peace and concord in this letter.

In the end, he asks that his couriers quickly return with a response.

Now send ye back speedily unto us our messengers...that they may the more quickly report the peace and concord which is prayed for and earnestly desired by us, that we also may the more speedily rejoice over your good order.

Rulers & Events:

81-96: Roman Emperor, Domitian

94:    Jewish Antiquities by Flavius Josephus

95:    Book of Revelation by John, son of Zebedee

96-98: Roman Emperor, Nerva