|
Clement,
Bishop of Rome
November 23
According to early traditions,
Clement was a disciple of the Apostles and the third Bishop of Rome. He may be
the same Clement whom Paul identifies as a co-worker in Philippians 4:3. He is
generally regarded as the author of a letter written about the year 96 from the
church in Rome to the church in Corinth, known as “First Clement” in the
collection of early documents called “The Apostolic Fathers.” With the exception
of the New Testament writings, this is the oldest Christian document in
existence.
This letter addressed the conflict and division in the church of Corinth. A
group of younger, dissatisfied members had deposed the bishop-presbyters and
deacons, jeopardizing the unity of the church in this dispute over its
leadership. First Clement sets forth a hierarchical view of church authority. It
insists that God requires due order in all things, that the deposed clergy must
be reinstated, and that the legitimate superiors should be obeyed.
The letter uses the terms “bishop” and “presbyter” interchangeably to describe
higher ranks of clergy, but refers to some of them as “rulers” of the church. It
is they who lead its worship and “offer the gifts” of the Eucharist, just as the
duly appointed priests in the time of the Old Testament performed various
sacrifices and liturgies. Many congregations of the early church read this
letter in their worship, and several ancient manuscripts include it in the
canonical books of the New Testament, along with Second Clement, which is
actually an early sermon of unknown authorship.
In later centuries, many legends about Clement developed, one being that he was
once tied to an anchor (the anchor is now his emblem) and was thrown into the
Black Sea. According to this legend, Clement’s tomb was built by angels and
could be seen once a year by the faithful during a miraculous ebbing of the
tide. Clement’s feast day is November 23.
|
