The
Fathers of the Church
spread the gospel of Jesus
Christ, defended the Church in apologetic writing and fought the many heresies
of the first six centuries of Christianity. These men, also called Apostolic
Fathers, gave special witness to the faith, some dying the death of a martyr.
Like Jesus who referred to Abraham as a spiritual father (Luke 16: 24) and St.
Paul, who referred to himself in the same terms (1 Cor 4: 15), the Fathers were
zealous for the word of God. Their writings are a testimony to the faith of the
early Church, yet many Christians are unfamiliar with the work of Clement of
Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Justin the Martyr, Irenaeus,
Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, Athanasius, Ephraim, Cyril of Jerusalem,
Hilary of Poitiers or Gregory the Great to name of few of the early Fathers.
This site will provide biographical information and examples of the writing of
these great men of faith. We will focus on Clement of Rome.
St.
Clement of Rome was the third successor of
Peter the Apostle as bishop of Rome. Dio Cassius in his history of Rome
identified a man named Clement with the martyred consul Titus Flavius Clemens, a
member of the imperial family, but this is not likely, nor can he be identified
as Church historian Eusebius and Origen speculate, with the Clemens who assisted
St. Paul and who was mentioned in the Letter to the Philippians. His service as
Bishop of Rome was probably from about 80-98 A.D. Below are some excerpts from
his extant writings. His most famous extant work, cited below, was written at
the request of the Christian community at Corinth, which sought his authority in
resolving a dispute amongst them.
Letter to the Corinithians (ca. 80 A.D.)
Chapter 1
"The Church of God which sojourns in Rome to the Church of God which sojourns in
Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace from Almighty God be multiplied unto you
through Jesus Christ."
Chapter 10
"Owing to the sudden and repeated calamities and misfortunes which have befallen
us [probably referring to the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.,
which produced a great fire in Rome] we must acknowledge that we are somewhat
tardy in turning our attention to the matters in dispute among you, beloved; and
especially that abominable and unholy sedition, alien and foreign to the elect
of God, which a few rash and self-willed persons have enflamed to such madness,
that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be loved by all men, has
been greatly defamed."
Chapter 21
"Our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife for
the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received perfect
knowledge, they appoint those who have already been mentioned, and afterwards
added the further provision that, if they should die, other approved men should
succeed to their ministry. As for these, then, who were appointed by them, or
who afterwards appointed by other illustrious men with the consent of the whole
Church, and who have ministered to the flock of Christ without blame, humbly,
peaceably and with dignity, and who have for many years received the
commendations of all, we consider it unjust that they be removed from the
ministry. Our sin will not be small if we eject from the episcopate those who
blamelessly and holily have offered its Sacrifices. Blessed are those presbyters
[priests] who have already finished their course, and who have obtained a
fruitful and perfect release; for they have now no fear that any shall transfer
them from the place appointed [by Almighty God]. For we see that in spite of
their good service you have removed some from their ministry in which they
served without blame."
Chapter 28a
"If anyone disobey the things which have been said by Him through us, let them
know that they will involve themselves in transgression and in no small danger.
We, however, shall be innocent of this sin, and will pray with earnest entreaty
and supplication that the Creator of all may keep unharmed the number of His
elect, which have been counted up in the whole world, through His beloved child
Jesus Christ, through whom He has called us from darkness to light, and from
ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His name."
Chapter 29
"You will afford us joy and gladness if, being obedient to the things which we
have written through the Holy Spirit, you will root out the wicked passion of
jealousy, in accord with the plea for peace and concord which we have made in
this letter."
Other Early Church Fathers and their Testimony