Clement of Rome

(late first century)

   Saint and Bishop.

   Clement was Bishop of Rome at the end of the first century. He was the author of an epistle to the Corinthians, in which he outlined his ideas on Church government and order. This was regarded as canonical by the Church in Corinth until nearly the end of the second century. In addition, many other apocryphal writings were circulated in his name, including another epistle to the Corinthians, the Clementine Homilies, the Clementine Recognitions, an apocalypse and two epitomes. In these works, Clement was portrayed as an intermediary between the original apostles and the late first-century Church. According to legend, Clement later became a missionary to the Crimea. He was martyred by being attached to an anchor and thrown into the sea.

   J.B. Lightfoot, Apostolic Fathers, 2 vols (1890);

   A.C. Headlam, ‘The Clementine literature’, Journal of Theological Studies, iii (1901/2);

   B. Bowe, A Church in Crisis (1988).