Jose Mario O. Mandia
In the Communicantes of the First Eucharistic Prayer (Roman Canon), the names of some popes are mentioned: Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus and Cornelius. Linus, Cletus and Clement are the immediate successors of Saint Peter and were ordained bishops by Peter himself. Some scholars suggest that ‘Sixtus’ refers to Sixtus II (257-258) and Cornelius was pope from 251 to 253.
The Liber Pontificalis reports that Peter consecrated Clement with the following words: “As unto me was delivered by my Lord Jesus Christ the power to govern and to bind and loose, so also I commit it unto you, that you may ordain stewards over diverse matters who will carry onward the work of the church and may yourself not become engrossed with the cares of the world but may strive to give yourself solely to prayer and preaching to the people.”
ST LINUS (68-79)
The list of Roman bishops in the writings of St Irenaeus, Julius Africanus, St Hippolytus, and Eusebius as well as the Liberian catalogue of 354, place the name of Linus directly after that of St Peter. St Jerome wrote that Linus was “the first after Peter to be in charge of the Roman Church” (Chronicon, 14g) and Eusebius confirms that he was “the first to receive the episcopate of the church at Rome, after the martyrdom of Paul and Peter” (Church History, 3.2). The Liber Pontificalis says that he ordained 15 bishops and 18 priests. We can see that at this early stage of the Church, the hierarchy was already in place.
We do not know much more about Linus. The dates of his pontificate, like that of the early popes, is highly disputed. The Vatican website indicates that St Peter was martyred in 64 or 67 AD and Linus began his pontificate around the year 68 (cf https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en/holy-father.html).
The Roman Martyrology (the Church’s official list of martyrs and saints – Martyrologium Romanum. Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001) does not categorize Linus as a martyr but the Liber Pontificalis states that “he was crowned with martyrdom.” It is also believed that he was buried near St Peter’s remains on the Vatican Hill. He is commemorated on 23 September, the date of his burial.
ST CLETUS (ANACLETUS) (80-92)
The next in line after Linus is Pope Anacletus, also known as Cletus. The name ‘Cletus’ (Greek Klētos) means ‘one who has been called,’ and ‘Anacletus’ (Greek: Anaklētos) means ‘one who has been called back.’
It is said that during his tenure as pope, Cletus ordained a number of priests “by direction of the blessed Peter” (Liber Pontificalis) and set up about twenty-five parishes in Rome (cf “Pope St Anacletus, Martyr,” The Brighton Oratory, July 13, 2012). We can see how the early Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit, begins to organize herself. From the very start, the Body of Christ is both charismatic and hierarchical (cf Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Letter “Iuvenescit Ecclesia” to the Bishops of the Catholic Church Regarding the Relationship Between Hierarchical and Charismatic Gifts in the Life and the Mission of the Church, 2016).
Like most of the early popes of the first two centuries, the precise dates of Cletus’ pontificate are uncertain (2012 Annuario Pontificio) but he “died a martyr, perhaps about 91.” (Campbell, Thomas (1907). ‘Pope St. Anacletus.’ Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company). It is also believed that, like Saint Linus, he was buried close to St Peter on the Vatican Hill. The Roman Martyrology lists Saint Cletus among the saints of 26 April.
ST CLEMENT I (92-99)
“Pope Clement I (called ‘Clemens Romanus’ to distinguish him from the Clement of Alexandria, a Christian theologian and philosopher), is the first of the successors of St Peter of whom anything definite is known, and he is the first of the ‘Apostolic Fathers’ [see ‘Saint Clement of Rome: Words from the fourth Pope in history’ in my series on the Church Fathers, 3]. His feast is celebrated on 23 November. He has left one genuine writing, a letter to the Church of Corinth, and many others have been attributed to him” (Chapman, J. (1908). ‘Pope St Clement I.’ The Catholic Encyclopedia. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm).
The Liber Pontificalis reports that Clement “held two ordinations in the month of December, 10 priests, 2 deacons and 15 bishops in diverse places.” The power that Jesus had entrusted to the Apostles is thus passed on to another generation.
In my previous article cited above, I have already explained the importance of St Clement and his Letter in particular. “Written while one of the apostles was still alive, this letter of Clement is the first great non-inspired Christian document” (Joseph Stanislaus Brusher & Emmanuel Borden, Popes through the Ages. D Van Nostrand Company. New York. 1959).
Clement’s importance can be seen in the fact that he is honored not only by the Catholic Church (Western and Eastern rites), but also by the Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion, and the Lutheran Church. St Clement is one of the few Roman popes to have a Russian Orthodox church dedicated in his name.
The Basilica of San Clemente Romano in Rome is also dedicated to St Clement I. In the first century, it was the home of a nobleman who had lent his house for clandestine Christian worship. In the 4th century, a basilica was built on top of it, and before 1100, the present basilica was erected above it.
NOTE: 1. The dates of the pontificates are based on the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en/holy-father.html
2. Picture above – Fresco discovered in 1861 represents St Clement celebrating Mass
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