Saint Clement I, the Pope, was the third of Peter's successors. The reign of Saint Clement I, popularly known as Clement of Rome, began in AD. 91 and lasted for a decade. The Church considers Saint Clement I as the first Apostolic Father, one among the three chief Apostolic Fathers, Saint Polycarp and Saint Ignatius of Antioch.

Saint Clement I was a Roman citizen and of Jewish descent. He was the son of Fostinus from the Cilian Province of ancient Rome. Tradition states that he repented and accepted faith through the teachings of the apostles Peter and Paul. Patristic Father Origen testifies that he was one of Paul's helpers and a regular participant in the missionary activities of the apostles. Eusebius, Father of Church History and Saint Jerome, Father of the Church, testifies that Clement the colleague Paul mentions in verse 3, Chapter 4 of his Epistle to the Philippians is the same Clement I, the Pope.

Clement I, who was ordained a bishop by the apostle Peter, was elected as the Pope pursuing the martyrdom of Saint Anacletus, the Pope. His epistle to the church in Corinth, to resolve a dispute, is one of the oldest surviving documents of the Church. A group of believers in the church at Corinth, raised their voices against the consecrated priests (bishops) and were reluctant to acknowledge their authority. The group even took steps to expel the clergy from the church.

Tradition declares that the church leadership sought the help of the Church in Rome to resolve this sectarianism. Saint Clement I penned an epistle to the Church in Corinth to resolve this issue. Through this epistle he was able to bring a spirit of compassion and discipline in the church. He unequivocally declared that the position of bishops (priests) in the church, was the succession of the apostles. He also demanded that the bishops (priests) who had been expelled from the church, be reinstated in positions of authority. In this epistle he also proclaims that the Bishop of Rome, Peter's successor, has absolute authority over other churches.

During Emperor Trajan’s religious persecution, Saint Clement I, was exiled to the country of Crimea. Through his teachings and actions, he was able to bring repentance to the whole region. Around seventy-five churches were erected there during his leadership. Angered by the brave actions of Saint Clement I, Emperor Trajan ordered the Pope to be bound to an anchor and flung into the Black Sea. Saint Clement I, thus attained martyrdom in AD101.

In A.D. 868, Saint Cyril during his missionary journey to Crimea, discovered Saint Clement I’s relics, buried on dry land attached to an anchor. The relics were subsequently brought to Rome and preserved along with the relics of Saint Ignatius of Rome, in Basilica di San Clemente, on the orders of Pope Adrian II. The Universal Church commemorates this great Saint and Pope during his feast on November 23rd.

transl. SM