Saint Anaclet
A Pope of Greek origin born in Athens, Saint Anaclet governed the Church for more than nine years in the 1st century. A disciple of Saint Peter who ordained him a priest, he organized the ecclesiastical hierarchy before dying a martyr in Rome in the year 96. He is historically distinguished from Saint Clet by his origins and his priestly path.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
3 reading sections
SAINT ANACLET, POPE AND MARTYR IN ROME
Government and Martyrdom
Saint Anaclet organized the early Church through ordinations and the care of martyrs before suffering martyrdom himself under a tyrant and being buried at the Vatican.
to bury there those who suffered martyrdom. He celebrated Ordinations twice, in which he created six bishops, five priests, and three deacons.
Among the multitude of Christian condemned, whom the fury of a tyrant sent to martyrdom every d ay, Pope Saint Anacle t could not long escape the search of the executioners. In anticipation of the fate that awaited him, he had, the previous year, conferred episcopa l ordina tion upon the priest Evariste. Finally, this blessed Pope, after having governed the Church for nine years, three months, and ten days, won the palm of martyrdom on July 13, in the year of Jesus Christ 96, and was bur ied at the V atican. Saint Ignatius, in a lette r he wrote to Ma ry Casabolite, speaks with great praise of Saint Anaclet.
Distinction between Anacletus and Cletus
The text refutes the confusion between Anacletus, of Greek origin and ordained priest by Saint Peter, and Saint Cletus, of Roman origin and ordained bishop by the same apostle.
A great number of authors have believed they could affirm the identity of Saint Cl etus and Sain t Anacletus; however, the detailed particulars provided regarding the Greek origin of Saint Anacletus, his birth in Athens, and the name of his father, Antiochus, do not allow him to be confused with Saint Cletus, of Roman origin, born in the Vicus Patricii, in the Esquiline district, and having Aemilianus as his father. Another circumstance is no less decisive against the system of identifying the two Popes. It is known that Saint Cletus was ordained b ishop by the very hand of Saint Peter. Now, the Liber Pontificalis expressly notes that Saint Anacletus had re ceived from the head of the Apostles only priestly consecration.
Documentary Sources
References to major historical sources, notably the Liber Pontificalis and the works of Darras and Artand de Hunter.
*Liber Pontificalis; History of the Church, by D arras. — Cf. History of the Roman Sovereign Pontiffs, by Artand de Hunter .*
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
Frequently asked questions about Saint Anaclet
Who was Saint Anaclet?
A Pope of Greek origin born in Athens, Saint Anaclet governed the Church for more than nine years in the 1st century. A disciple of Saint Peter who ordained him a priest, he organized the ecclesiastical hierarchy before dying a martyr in Rome in the year 96. He is historically distinguished from Saint Clet by his origins and his priestly path.
How is Saint Anaclet depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Anaclet is recognizable by: palm of martyrdom.
How did Saint Anaclet die?
Saint Anaclet suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (1st century).
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Anaclet?
Contemporaries include: Saint Martial, Apostle of Aquitaine, Saint James the Greater (Apostle), Saint George of Velay and Jesus Christ (Relics of the Passion).
What are the other names of Saint Anaclet?
Other forms of the name: Anacletus.
Who are the relatives of Saint Anaclet?
Relatives of Saint Anaclet: Antiochus (father).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Priestly ordination by Saint Peter
- Governed the Church for nine years, three months, and ten days
- Celebration of two Ordinations (creation of six bishops, five priests, and three deacons)
- Episcopal ordination of Evaristus
- Martyrdom under a tyrant in the year 96