Titus Flavius Clemens, one of the Fathers of the Church known as the Apologists, was born around AD 150 in Athens to pagan parents. Having received education under several teachers in Italy and the Mediterranean region, Clement is generally believed to have been attracted to the Christian faith while he was a disciple of Pantaenus, who was the head of the Alexandrian School from AD 180 to 200. Some historians, however, claim that he came to Alexandria after embracing Christianity. Yet, there is general agreement that it was during his time of study in Alexandria that he was ordained a priest.

After the death of Pantaenus in AD 200, Clement assumed leadership of that famous school. However, when the institution was temporarily closed due to the persecution of Christians under Emperor Septimius Severus, he was forced to flee from Alexandria. (Origen, who later became his successor, was one of his pupils.) Under the protection of one of his disciples, Alexander-who later became the Bishop of Jerusalem-Clement continued his life and ministry until his death in AD 215.

St. Jerome testifies that Clement, a renowned and universally acknowledged priest, “strengthened and nourished the Church of the Lord.” (De Viris Illustribus 38). Clement taught that, just as the Law of Moses was given to the Jews, so philosophy was given to the Greeks as a path leading to the Word, who is the fullness of truth, Christ the Messiah. Among his most significant works are the Protrepticus (Exhortation), which exposes the futility of pagan beliefs while presenting the holiness and nobility of the Christian faith, and the Paedagogus (Instructor), which contains instructions regarding the moral and spiritual duties of Christians.

Rev. Dr. Alex Sebastian Kollamkalam