Pseudo-Clementine Homilies: Homily 12

Then Tripolis of Phygia. When, therefore, he had left Tripolis, on the same day he came to Arctosus, and there he remained one day, and then he came to Antandrus. When many were with Peter, he said to Zictas and Aquila, because of the many discourses that had been given, and because not a few envious persons in the cities were being stirred up against them, it seemed to me that it was expedient that you should not be hindered or prevented from being with me, nor should you be troubled when many were looking at you under the influence of evil envy. I wish, therefore, that you, Zictas and Aquila, should be before me, because of two purposes: that it might be done hastily for the city of the peoples. I know that you are distressed about what you are about to hear from the side of the mountain. Nor for two days all of them, especially your faith, I love you very much, because you are to me. This, however, is because through my hands you were brought to God. When, therefore, you love one another, you are not outside of me, and you do not wish to be. You do what is helpful, as you are, and you are idle for me. I say, moreover, that not one of the days from the full ones are you circumcised; for the known city is vain, as you also know. You have set for me three months to remain. Now, therefore, in this, before the Lycians who are near you, and before their gates, wait for me, you alone, because of the multitude of the saying. Immediately, then, as from the side.

First, then, I say to you: and thus in peace enter and together lodge. But this I desire, that in every city you should do thus, that also from envy you flee. And also my brothers, in the idleness of your leisure, that you not be found idle in the lodging-place. When, therefore, he said these things, Peter was constrained to consent, while they said, "It is not good to be distressed for this, because you are commanded to do one thing, since you do everything wisely and well, and you counsel equally with the grace of Christ for election." And secondly, that one day, or two, with your help they speak, I do. Since also many who have not seen, I do, to my lord Peter. Whatever, therefore, seems to you, that you will do helpfully, I do. When, therefore, they said these things before, then, when they received the command, to the people who were with him to say, that not sorrowfully they should be upon them, all together to the city. When, therefore, they went, I, Clement, was very glad, because he desired that I alone should be his attendant with him. And I said to him, "Thanks to God the receiver, that not as my companions also to me you have sent. For I was already being destroyed by affliction." He, however, said to me, "What, then, if that which follows the desire to send you because of teaching from brevity comes, you? And you were not considering yourself, that firmly it follows to endure that which because of necessity was. Or do you not think that at all times the mercies in their former remembrance with their mercies are present also in their bodies, though distant, as also persons when near are considered as distant to their companions?

And I said this, lest you think that I am sick, or that I have some thought, or that I have no discernment, that I thus loved you. But because you are the one, in place of a man, I have in place of a father and mother and brothers. And after that, for the sake of the truth that strikes me, you have been to me. For this reason I wish that at all times I be with you. But I also fear, on account of the desire of my youth, lest when I am with you, I might become another outside of what I am. For I also trust well that even when I am with you, I do not sin from desire. But this one thing pleases me well, and truly that I may be peacefully with you, because I am beforehand ashamed of you. But concerning what I said in Caesarea, that whoever wishes may chastely hang me, let him hang. But chastely I said, I hope for a man from his men, or for a woman of noble thought. For this reason I am mindful of your service in everything. And if I had wished to do a great favor for you, I would have commanded you to be in the place of a servant for your service. But Peter laughed at this and said, What then do you think, O Clement? For it is not a constrained necessity that you should fill the place of servants for me yesterday. And if these beautiful garments of robes and girdles are preserved, and also again these sweet foods and excellent dishes are prepared for me, these on account of whose changes many nations are distressed. And the rest of these other things which delight the hearts of men who are pressed by want, like great beasts, are furnished by greed. But this thought came upon your mind because you are not accustomed to a dwelling where bread alone and olives are used. And how many times in vegetables.

And again, there is no other end or purpose for me, but that I am concerned and do not care about others. For my mind is free from these things of the world, and it commands nothing of these things here. I have received your good thought, and I am amazed that such a man, with such excellent life, quickly changed your dwelling for the sake of those who are in need. For I was brought up from my youth with Andraios my brother, not only in wealth, but also in poverty, and I even reached the point of labor. Therefore, now I endure labor night and day. If, then, I had been pleasing to you, I would have left the working man in the place of a servant to serve you. But I, when I heard, was greatly grieved, and my tears flowed, and I was troubled, and the man said that the whole world is less than him. He, when he saw that I was weeping, began to ask why. I said to him, "What is my folly that you say this word to me?" And Peter answered that I was the first to be foolish, for I had entrusted myself to his service. I said, "This was not fitting. For it is not fitting for me to do this to you; but for you, the herald of God and the savior of souls, this is not proper." And Peter said, "I have been listening to you for a long time. If it were not for the Lord who came into the world to save, when every man would be free, what would he say, who alone is free, that he endures slavery for you, so that you may learn not to be ashamed to serve servants?" And I said that I have no thought that I think I can overcome you with words. This I confess to the grace of God, that I found you in the place of men. He said to me, "Truly, there is no...

that are near in body, and I said, I have many of my own kindred who are better, and to Caesar, my relatives, because indeed also to my father, as if outside his upbringing, that Caesar, a woman of noble birth, was about to be married, who would bear him two sons, these who were twins and who were polluted, as my father used to tell me. For I do not remember, for I was a child at that time until now. My mother’s name was Matrodora, and my father’s name was Postianus, and my brothers, one Postianus and the other Postus, when I was born last after them. And when I was five years old, a dream appeared to my mother. My father used to say that it was revealed to her that if she did not go out of Rome with her two sons, within ten hours she would perish with them in an evil death. My father, therefore, because he loved them well, provided them with provisions and servants, and placed them on a ship and sent them to Athens. But me alone he sent on a ship to Athens, as if for education. When he confessed that he had sent me alone, he did not command the dream that she should not go out of Rome with my mother. When, therefore, the hour was completed, my father sent them out, and on the same ship they were, these who were sent, but they did not arrive. At the third hour, my father again sent others with provisions. These, at the fourth hour, returned, saying that not even the provisions had been sent. These, at the fourth hour, returned, saying that neither my mother nor my brothers were found.

nor again did the beginning of the matter take place in vain, for it was not possible for them to stand upon their heels. But my father, when he heard these many calamities, was amazed and did not know where to turn. And he took me and my mother and went down, and he was asking the many sailors whether anyone had heard or seen the ships that were lost in those four hours. And while he was saying this, others on the other side were asking whether anyone had seen the body of the woman and her two sons who were cast into the sea. And although many were saying something to him, they truly said nothing to him. And from the confusion of the many, they left me in Rome when I was ten years old. And thus, when he wept, he went out from their presence, and from then until now I have not been able to learn anything about him. I think that either he died in the same way, or he was overcome by grief, or he went mad. For this has already happened: a madness of twenty years that has passed, I think. But Peter, when he heard all these many calamities, wept, and said to those with him: "These things happen to those who fear God, because to the father of this one it happened through the intention of the fear of God, which placed an evil cause. These things happen to the nations of the Jews, and they do not know that they call the Jews 'the poor,' because they also are subject to terrible events. From that hope they are consoled and are always troubled. For those who endure through the fear of God, the reward is that whatever they have suffered is fitting." When Peter said this, one of those present said to him in reply: "First, to the island of Aradus, in the sea of the wicked, six pillars and not all of them, because of the sight of those two columns.

of the bodies that were there, many of them had many wounds. But Peter, when he heard, was amazed, and said, "When the ships meet, they do not collide violently, so that they might go together to see, for they are not skilled, many of them." And when he was pursuing at that very hour on the island, he was found. And when with God he went out, they came upon him, the place where those pillars were standing. There were also some who saw something else from the regions of Pierius. But Peter alone by the sea sat on the dry land. He saw a woman sitting, and as if for the sake of a circle of a basket, she was turning. And he said to the woman, "What limb is missing from you, that you have received all this affliction on yourself?" She said, "The one that turns. And why was it not given to you by the hands of God? I served, and the discipline of the day within it injured me." That woman was amazed, and she turned and said to him, "If indeed I had hands, I would be able to serve you. Now, however, you see only that there are hands in them, while the joints of my fingers are crushed." Peter said to her, "What then is the cause on account of which you did these things to yourself?" She said, "The cause of these afflictions is despair. For nothing else; if indeed I had persevered with a sound mind, there would have been a cliff or a depth into which I would have thrown myself, and I would have been delivered from the troubles." And Peter said, "What hope then does a man or a woman have, that all those who kill themselves are delivered from the marketplace? Or is it not rather that in the evil distress their souls die, instead of those who thus kill themselves being tormented in Sheol?" She turned and said to him, "I was not persuaded that souls are truly in Sheol.

I was chosen to go up onto the platform. And I said, "Thus, my beloved, I found it to receive." And Peter said to her, "What is it that has happened to you? I wanted to know whether a man or a woman, for indeed your knowledge of this kindness would persuade me that in Hades the souls live. And on account of the cliff and the depth of the sea, I gave you a sign of the world without end, that you might change." The woman, then, because she was persuaded by his exhortation, began to speak thus: "Concerning my race and my country, do not suppose that any man is able to persuade me to speak except to you, this near one to know. But if this alone is the reason for which, on account of the sorrow in the marriages, my hands were put to death—I am a daughter of a race, and by the command of the elder, I was joined to a man who is of my race. And after two years, twin sons were born to me, and I also had another. And after these, the brother of my husband desired me, when I was well in modesty, and I was willing to live. Since, then, I was not inclined to obey that desirer, nor indeed was I willing to gratify the desire of my husband's brother, I was compelled to go out from the city with my two twin sons, until that foul desire should cease. That other son of mine, I left with his father, as if for the care of these. And thus it happened. I thought to say that a dream appeared to me, as if in the night a man stood over me and said to me.

ledge is not small. But you, woman, quickly, with your two sons, the twins, sit here until I return to your land. Otherwise, with your husband and your sons you will suffer evils. Now when a dream was told to my husband from his fear, and with the two sons, the twins, in deeds and in maidservants, he sent them away, as if in one of the cities of his sons there. Until it seemed good to him who appeared to you that you should return to me. Now when I was in a ship with my sons on the sea, I was tossed about. From the disturbance of the wind to this place at night, from the ship that was lost I was cast away, and when all who were with me had died, I, a weak woman, was washed up from the shore of the waves, and by the hour I was frozen and sat down. I was. And when I was hoping to find my sons, I did not throw myself into the depth of the sea, for I could easily have done that then, when I was disturbed with fear. And I was distressed by evils. For now it was dawn. And I was speaking loudly. And I was crying bitterly. I was looking here and there, while I was seeking the dead bodies of my sons, those whom they had found for me, and they clothed them and commanded my sons with me. For since they were not able, they began to persuade me. There were, however, some women who were gathered there, of whom one by one was being afflicted by her own evils, which were similar to mine, and I was afflicted. For I was not afflicted by the sorrows of others. Now when many of them were persuading me to go to their houses to manage, one of those who was sitting there, a poor woman, compelled me and brought me into her house. And she said, "Be persuaded, O woman. For my husband also was a sailor.

and while he was still young, he died at sea. Then the widow chose me to stay with her because of the love I had for her. It happened, therefore, that I was with her. Whatever was in her hands to give, she gave to me, but I did not prolong my words with her, because her love for her husband was still with her. After a short time, however, my own marriage portion and the gifts from the bridesmaids were released. She who had received me was released entirely. And behold, she was cast out of the house because of the compassion of those women who then entered into her. I, however, and she who was in the house, we were both distressed in this place. As you see, I have endured great labor. I sat down to wait, so that what I had to give might also be given to that marriage portion, the daughter of my union, as a support. So far, then, my own story has been told up to this point. You, however, now, what you have confessed is complete. Give me the seal so that I may also give it to that woman to die. When, however, this woman said this, Peter was greatly astonished by many thoughts. I, Clement, came and said to him with great urgency, for I am going about and I command you. And now what are we doing? Peter commanded me to go forward and to increase the boat for him. I, however, did what was commanded me. Peter, however, waited a little while, as everything was told to me at the end, and his mind was disturbed. He said to me, Tell me, O woman, your race and the names of your sons. And immediately he gave her the seal. She, however, being distressed and not willing to speak, was eager to take the seal. She was compelled and began to say one thing after another to him. Concerning herself, therefore, she spoke the truth, that she was from Assos.

and her husband from Sicily and the three children, she again changed their names. Peter, however, thought that she was telling the truth. He said to her, "I was hoping that you, the wife of great joy, would be for me, because I relied on you that you are the wife whose early life I had heard of and who was well-disposed. But she was swearing to him and was selling to him, and she was saying this: 'Show me if there is any man among the men who is more contemptible than me.' Peter, however, because he did not know deceit, and also because he truly feared her, began to speak. There is a young man with me who is attached to me like a matter of the love of the word of God, who is from the city of Rome. He told me that he had a father, and two twin brothers, and a mother. But of them he has not seen one. For his mother, as his father told her, 'I saw a dream that I was going out from Rome with my two twin sons, and from there, when I went out, the place is not there.' Again, also her husband, who is his father, when he went out to seek them, was not found. When, however, Peter said this with great astonishment, she was confused. Peter, however, commanded her to recollect herself and persuaded her to confess to him what had happened to her. Then, as if from much wine, the rest of her limbs were loosened, and she turned and her face was changed. 'Now then, young man, you said that Peter is my son.' And Peter, because he understood a little, said to him, 'First tell me who you are, and then you will see that you have no need.' She, however, because she was in haste, said, 'I am the mother of that young man.' Peter said to her, 'What is your name?

She said, "Clement." And Peter said, "That is the one who a little while ago was speaking with me about the ship, and before me you commanded." She then fell and was begging with Peter that he should hasten and go to the ship. He said to her, "If it is not that my wife will be, that she might make a confession, I would not do this." When, however, everything was ready for confession, those things which Peter commanded her, he said to her, "When you see him, be until he comes from the island and I come." She said that she would do thus, and she took his hand and was leading him to the ship. I, Clement, when I saw that he was leading the woman, laughed and approached, and as if to honor her and to lead her, I wished. When, however, I immediately approached her hand, she cried out greatly and rebuked me, and was oppressing me. I, however, because I did not know all her intention, as if in folly, from my side I was withdrawing from her. Especially, however, it became worse for me, because I was being mocked with Peter. Peter said to me, "Be quiet. What have you done, my son Clement, that you thus strike your mother?" I, however, when I heard this, wept and fell upon her, while I was embracing and pressing her. And in this one thing was said to me, as if deeply I was recognizing her. And the many people were running as if to see the woman who was going around. And they were saying this, "Her son has recognized her, the honored man." When, however, from her place I came with my mother from the island, they wished to go out, saying, she was saying, "O my beloved son, it was right that I left that woman who received me, who is poor, and when everything is prepared, behold, she is cast out of the house.

When Peter heard, he was amazed, and all those who were there stood up in astonishment at the woman's good fortune and her freeborn son. From that place, Peter commanded that the men should go and bring that woman. When she entered the bridal chamber, she was placed before him. While all those who were there were listening, Peter said, "If truly I am a herald of God, as the faith of those who know that the one God who made the world is one, let this woman be healed from her place." And when he said this, immediately that woman rose up, healthy, and fell at the feet of Peter and her companion and her friend, and she was beseeching him. He asked what had happened. She then related the entire affair to him in brief. The men who were there, when they heard, were astonished. Peter, however, when he had spoken about God and his way, added at the end to say, "Whoever truly wishes to teach the people of Antioch, let him come. There, for three months, I will be. For it is not for the sake of trade or for the governance of your regions that you are able to leave and travel a great mountain, but for the sake of eternal life. Nor would you wish to come for three days? After Peter's speech, I gave to receive my mother, and I gave a thousand staters for the affairs that were needed for her, and I reconciled her with the good man from the head of the city. I also received kindnesses from those who were envious of my mother, and thus from the island, with Peter and the rest of the companions, when I was driven out, I went out to my mother.