St. Clement of Rome led the early church as a bishop and martyr, and in so doing he had the honor of carrying the faith of the apostles into the second century. He is best known through his epistle, I Clement, which he penned to the church in Corinth and which thus offers great insight into the earliest Christian teachings outside of the scriptures.
Little is known for sure about Clement’s early life, though it is thought that he was of Jewish origin and worked alongside the apostles in Rome before he was consecrated bishop by Peter himself. He was the third or possibly fourth bishop in Rome, according to early historians who also agree that he was the man who penned the letter from the church of Rome to the church of Corinth where the brothers had once again fallen into division.
That letter, First Clement, is a lengthy 65-chapter book containing encouragement and exhortations toward peace and unity, specifically by encouraging younger men who had rebelled against their bishop to submit themselves once more to his authority. Scholars have devoted a good deal of attention to the epistle in the last couple of centuries, and from them we have learned that First Clement was in some places included in the canonical scriptures and was honored in the Corinthian church as scripture in the second century.
In the first chapters, Clement greets the church and speaks of their faithfulness until the point when jealousy arose. He then holds up biblical and contemporary examples of virtue and moves more directly toward the situation at hand in Corinth. Clement summarily instructs: “Therefore it is right for us, having studied so many and such great examples, to bow the neck and, adopting the attitude of obedience, to submit to those who are the leaders of our souls, so that by ceasing from this futile dissension we may attain the goal that is truly set before us, free from all blame.”
Tradition holds that Clement was martyred in the early second century. He was granted rest from his earthly work when he was tied to an anchor and thrust into the Black Sea.
Brief History
The example and writings of the early apostolic Fathers can serve as a light to the Church and guard against the temptation to take the scriptures out of their early Christian context or make false assumptions. The letter of Clement is one such valuable document for understanding the faith of the apostles and their students, specifically as it pertains to church order. Lest we should think that the early church was a nebulous force led by the Spirit any which way, there was in fact system of authority and submission to those Jesus ordained for ministry – those appointed to be the caretakers of souls.
The Lutheran Church has maintained this order with bishops and the succession of ministry when pastors are ordained by the laying on of hands. Likewise, the members in each parish are encouraged to submit to their leaders and receive their orthodox teaching. The Lutheran Church observes the commemoration of St. Clement as a faithful bishop and bulwark of the faith on November 23rd.
Collect
Have regard for our weakness, Almighty God: and since the weight of our own deeds bears us down, let the faithful example of Blessed Clement, Thy Bishop and Martyr, direct us to Thy Mercy: through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lessons
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. James Busher Petersen on St. Clement of Rome
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. William Weedon on St. Clement of Rome
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Hamell, Patrick J., Handbook of Patrology. Alba House. 1968.
2. Holmes, Michael W. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Tranlations. Third Edition. Baker Academic. 2007.
3. Pfatteicher, Philip H. Festivals and Commemorations. Augsburg Publishing House. 1980.
Images:
1. Saint Clement of Rome, R Stange after A Müller, Netherlands, ca. 1880.
2. The Martyrdom of Saint Clement I, Pope, Agostino Ciampelli, Italy, 1596-97.
3. Clement of Rome, Mosaic from St. Sophia of Kyiv, 11th c.
[…] considering what ways in which the Lutheran Church can celebrate St. Clement of Rome and his day on November 23rd, it must be noted that there are not many historical ideas regarding […]