Painting of Pope Saint Anacletus,
in the I Gesuiti, Venice, with anachronistic Papal Tiara.
Artist: Palma il Giovane.
Date: 1592.
_-_sacristy_-_Papa_Cleto_-_1592-1593_-_by_Palma_il_Giovane.jpg){kind=link}
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User: JamesMacKerell.
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Author:
Palma il Giovane (painting);
Didier Descouens (photo).
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
Pope Anacletus (15 A.D. — 92 A.D.), also known as Cletus, was the Bishop of Rome, following Saint Peter and Saint Linus.
Anacletus reigned between 80 A.D. and his death in 92 A.D.
Cletus was a Roman who, during his tenure as Pope, ordained a number of Priests and is Traditionally credited with setting up about twenty-five Parishes in Rome.[1]
Although the precise dates of his Pontificate are uncertain, he “died a Martyr, perhaps about 91 A.D.”.[2]
Cletus is mentioned in the Roman Canon of The Mass.
The name “Cletus” (Ancient Greek: Κλητος, Romanised: Klētos) means “one who has been called”, and “Anacletus” means "one who has been called back".
The Roman Martyrology mentions the Pope as “Cletus”.[4] The Annuario Pontificio gives both forms.
The name “Cletus” (Ancient Greek: Κλητος, Romanised: Klētos) means “one who has been called”, and “Anacletus” means "one who has been called back".
The Roman Martyrology mentions the Pope as “Cletus”.[4] The Annuario Pontificio gives both forms.
Eusebius, Irenaeus, Augustine of Hippo and Optatus all suggest that both names refer to the same individual, while the Liberian Catalogue counts Cletus and Anacletus as separate Popes.[2][5]
As with many of the early Popes, little is known of Anacletus’ Pontificate. Earlier historical records are inconsistent in their usage of the names Cletus, Anacletus, and Anencletus, and in the placement of these names in the order of succession.
As with many of the early Popes, little is known of Anacletus’ Pontificate. Earlier historical records are inconsistent in their usage of the names Cletus, Anacletus, and Anencletus, and in the placement of these names in the order of succession.
Generally, the order used by Irenaeus is used today, wherein Cletus and Anacletus refer to the same person, who succeeded Linus and preceded Clement.[2]
Traditionally, it was accepted that he Reigned for twelve years, though the dates of that reign are questionable.
The 2012 Annuario Pontificio states: “For the first two Centuries, the dates of the start and the end of Pontificates are uncertain”, before placing Anacletus’ Pontificate from 80 A.D. to 92 A.D.[1]
These are the years given by Eusebius and Jerome.[6][7]
According to Tradition, Pope Anacletus divided Rome into twenty-five Parishes. One of the few surviving records concerning his Papacy mentions him as having Ordained an uncertain number of Priests.[2]
Pope Anacletus was Martyred, thus ending his Pontificate.[2] A tomb ascribed to Anacletus is located near St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican.
According to Tradition, Pope Anacletus divided Rome into twenty-five Parishes. One of the few surviving records concerning his Papacy mentions him as having Ordained an uncertain number of Priests.[2]
Pope Anacletus was Martyred, thus ending his Pontificate.[2] A tomb ascribed to Anacletus is located near St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican.
This tomb is located near tombs ascribed to Linus, Evaristus, Telesphorus, Hyginus, Pius I, Anicetus, and Victor I.
Little epigraphic evidence exists to support the ascription of these tombs to the early Popes.[9]
Priests who Celebrate Mass according to the General Roman Calendar of 1954 keep the 13 July Feast Day.
Although the day of his death is unknown,[10] Saint Cletus continues to be listed in the Roman Martyrology among the Saints.[11]
In the Divine Comedy, Dante mentions him as being placed in the “Heaven of the Fixed Stars” (Paradiso 27.41).[3]
Thank you, Zephyrinus, for thus explanation of the life of S. Cletus, also known as Anacletus, and that he was (according to the accompanying essay by Dom Gueranger) perhaps the last pope who received the imposition of hands at his consecration from one of the Apostles.
ReplyDeleteWe often think our struggles are difficult (and many of them may be), but this reader (perhaps others) tend/s to forget how short and often brutally and abruptly were ended the lives of many of the Christians especially those of the first centuries. Yet S. [Ana]Cletus accomplished much in those barely ten short years of his pontificate that continues in our sacramental tradition today (such as 3 bishops generally required for episcopal consecration).
S. Anacletus, pray for us! -Comment by Dante P
A most apposite and interesting Comment from our Mediæval Historical and Liturgical Correspondent, Dante P, for which we are truly grateful.
DeleteHow pertinent and correct is Dante P's Comment on Saint Anacletus and also all the early Pontiffs, Saints, and Martyrs. They all suffered grievously. Let us not forget that.
Let us thank them in our Prayers. Let us remember them in our Prayers. Let us ask them in our Prayers for their interecession and protection.
Saint Anacletus. Ora Pro Nobis.