Bishop of Rome, Martyr

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Bishop of Rome, third successor after Saint Peter, after Linus and Anacletus, disciple of the apostles. According to Irenaeus, Clement saw the blessed apostles and interacted with them. Origen and Eusebius identify him with Clement, a collaborator of Saint Paul – Philippians 4:3
Clement is the author of the Letter to the Corinthians. The reason for writing the letter was a dispute that arose in the Corinthian commune, as a result of which – as Clement himself puts it – several self-willed insolent people resigned from the office of priests. The admonitions are both official and fraternal. Clement demands obedience for his letter after the sanction of sin. The Roman Church responsible for the good of the entire Church. Clement writes not in his own name, but in the name of the Roman commune. Apostolic succession is divinely instituted. God sent Jesus Christ, who called the apostles, who in turn appointed the heads of the community – presbyters (a common term for bishops and deacons) and issued orders that worthy and experienced men would succeed them. Their authority comes not from the community, but – through apostolic succession – from God.
Information about Clement’s martyrdom comes only from the end of the 4th century.