Clement I, Saint

Clement I, Saint, or Clement of Rome (klĕm`ənt), d. A.D. 97?, pope (A.D. 88?–A.D. 97?), martyr; successor of St. Cletus. He may have known the apostles Peter and Paul and was a highly esteemed figure in the church. His letter to the church at Corinth was considered canonical by some until the 4th cent. It is notable for the authority Clement assumes in the name of the Church of Rome in resolving the factionalism that was afflicting the Corinthians and in enjoining the need for order in the church. St. Clement was the first Christian writer to use the myth of the phoenix as an allegory of the Resurrection. Many writings have been wrongly attributed to him, particularly the so-called Second Epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians. He is represented in frescoes in the Church of San Clemente, Rome. He was succeeded by St. Evaristus. Feast: Nov. 23.