Clement of Alexandria

To the Newly Baptized; and various works about Instruction and other topics. According to the Eastern Orthodox Church, Clement of Alexandria is viewed as an important early Christian writer and thinker, but not as a saint or church father in the same way as some other figures. He is officially uncommemorated, and his name was removed from the Roman Catholic list of saints because some of his teachings were considered suspect. Therefore, he is considered more of a historical figure than a venerated saint within the Eastern Orthodox tradition. He is venerated as a saint in the Oriental orthodox tradition and some Roman Catholic offshoots but not the Roman Catholic tradition as of the 16th century. The way to union with God (theosis) is for Clement only the Church's way: "The Word of God, became man just that you may learn from a Man how it may be that man should become god." (i.e. godly or deified or godlike) The simple faith of the baptized Christian contains all the essentials of the highest knowledge; by the Eucharist the believer is united with the Logos and the Spirit, and made partaker of incorruptibility.

• Uncertainty regarding his teachings: Some of Clement's teachings were considered problematic, leading to his removal from the Roman Catholic calendar of saints, a decision reaffirmed by later popes. The Eastern Orthodox Church has also shown reluctance to fully endorse him.

• Historical importance: His writings are still studied for their insights into early Christian thought and the integration of Greek philosophy with Christianity. He is recognized as a significant early theologian and apologist.

• Influence on Origen: His student, Origen, became one of the most important theologians in the early church.

• Inspiration for other traditions: Some individual Eastern Orthodox schools and communities may name themselves after Clement, viewing his "baptizing" of philosophy as a way to explain the faith to educated societies. However, this does not signify official church veneration.

• About the Alexandrian School:

The Catechetical School of Alexandria was a school of Christian theologians and bishops and deacons in Alexandria, Egypt officially founded around 190 AD. The teachers and students of the school (also known as the Didascalium) were influential in many of the early theological controversies of the Christian church. It was one of the six major centers of the study of biblical exegesis and theology during Late Antiquity, the other being the School of Antioch, Syria (70 AD?), the School of Caesarea, Palestine (150 AD?), the School of Edessa, Syria (489 AD), and the School of Nisibis, Persia (489 AD).