The Epistles of Clement, Matheses, Polycarp, and Ignatius are included among the Apostolic Fathers. The authors were personally acquainted with the Apostles. Clement, Bishop of Rome was a disciple of Saint Peter. Ignatius was the second successor of St. Peter in the See of Antioch. An accepted tradition declares him a disciple of St. John. Polycarp was -instructed by Apostles-, according to Irenaeus and had been a disciple of St. John nearly twenty years. These Epistles were written in the late first and early second century and provide great insight into early Christian thought.
St. Clement of Rome ( - )
St. Clement was the bishop of Rome and third in succession from St. Peter. Around the year 95 AD, a letter was written by the Church of Rome to the Church at Corinth that is attributed to Saint Clement. This document is the earliest Christian writing besides the New Testament documents. In fact, the Gospel of John is likely written around the same time as this document. This "first letter of Clement" (a second letter was falsely attributed to him) was copied by the Corinthian Church and circulated all over the empire, rendering the very first papal "encyclical." It was so highly regarded by the universal church that for several centuries the Church in Egypt and elsewhere regarded it as one of the New Testatment scriptures.The Church of St. Clement is one of the most fascinating places in Rome. Excavations revealed that the medieval Church, built in the 12th century, actually was built on top of a 4th century Church which was in turn built over a house church going back to the first century. It is very possible that this was the house of St. Clement himself.
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