Rufinus of Aquileia, Clementine Recognitions 1.12
https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/512
Context
A varied group of ancient works called the Pseudo-Clementine Writings
or Clementine Literature was purportedly written by Clement of Rome, who held the papacy
toward the the end of the 1st century C.E. These works, which clearly have diverse
origins and dates, have long been debated among scholars of Early Christianity. Among
them are two close versions of a prose romance recounting Clement’s relations and
travels with Peter the Apostle, the Homilies surviving in Greek and the
Recognitions surviving in a Latin translation by Rufinus of Aquileia.
Both most likely derive from a single lost Greek archtype composed in Syria during the
early 3rd century C.E.; part of an early Syriac translation also survives, as well as
two later Greek epitomes. In this passage from Rufinus’ translation, early in the story,
Clement follows Barnabas, whom he has met and championed at Rome, and sails to Caesarea,
where he meets Peter.
Text
Diebus autem paucis remoratus, et his quae debebantur ex parte aliqua
profligatis—plurima enim festinandi studio neglexi, ne a proposito impedirer—enavigavi
continuo in Iudaeam et post dies quindecim Caesaream Stratonis,
quae est Palaestinae urbs maxima, adpulsus sum. cumque navi egressus, hospitium
quaererem, rumore populi comperi quod Petrus quidam, illius, qui in Iudaea apparuit et
signa multa ac prodigia divinitus gesta inter homines ostendit, discipulus
probatissimus, crastino cum Simone quodam Samaritano ex castello Getthonum habebit
verborum quaestionumque certamen. quibus ego auditis rogabam demonstrari mihi eius
hospitium; quod cum repperissem atque ante fores constitissem, ingerebam ianitori,
quisnam essem atque unde adventarem; et ecce Barnabas procedens, statim ut me vidit, in
conplexus meos conruit, gaudio lacrimans, atque adprehensum me manu introducebat ad
Petrum. quem cum mihi eminus ostendisse, “Hic est,” inquit, “Petrus, quem tibi maximum
esse in dei sapientia dicebam cuique de te rursus sine cessatione locutus sum. ingredere
igitur tamquam bene ei cognitus. omnia enim quae in te sunt bona verissime comperit et
religiosum propositum tuum diligenter agnovit, ex quo et summo desiderio agitur videndi
te. unde magnum ei hodie munus meis te manibus offero”; simulque oblato me, ait, “Hic
est Clemens, Petre.”1
Textual Note
Ed. Rehm and Strecker 2009Corrigenda Note
Minor corrections (spelling, punctuation)Translation
After I had lingered for a few days [at Rome], and having in some
measure finished the business of collecting what was owed to me—for I had neglected many
things out of my desire to hurry, so that I might not be hindered from my purpose—, I
sailed straight to Judaea and after 15 days landed at Strato’s
Caesarea, the largest city in Palestine. When I had disembarked and was
looking for an inn, I learned from talk among people that a certain Peter, the most
esteemed disciple of He who appeared in Judaea and showed many signs and miracles
divinely performed among men, would on the next day hold a contest of words and
questions with one Simon, a Samaritan from the village of Getthones. Having heard this,
I asked to be shown (Peter’s) lodging. When I had found it and stood before the door, I
informed the doorkeeper who I was and whence I came. And behold, Barnabas came out, and
as soon as he saw me rushed into my arms weeping for joy, and seizing me by the hand led
me in to Peter. He pointed him out to me at a distance and said, “This is Peter, who I
told you is greatest in the wisdom of God, and to whom also I have spoken about you
endlessly. So come in as one well known to him. For he is well acquainted with all the
good that is in you and has carefully made himself aware of your religious purpose,
which has stirred (in him) a great desire also to see you. Therefore with my hands I
present you to him today as a great gift.” And at the same time as he was presenting me,
he said, “This is Clement, Peter.”2
Translation Note
Adapted from Smith 1886Works Cited
- 1 Rufinus, Die Pseudoklementinen: Rekognitionen, in Rufinus Übersetzung, ed. Bernhard Rehm and Georg Strecker, 2nd rev., vol. 2, 2 vols., Griechischen christlichen Schriftsteller der ersten drei Jahrhunderte (Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2009), bk: 1, section: 12.
- 2 Rufinus, Recognitions of Clement, in Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: The Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts and Epistles, The Clementina, Apocrypha, Decretals, Memoirs of Edessa and Syriac Documents, Remains of the First Ages, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, trans. Thomas Smith, American Edition, Ante-Nicene Fathers 8 (Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing Company, 1886), 73–214, p: 80.
How to Cite This Entry
Joseph L. Rife, “Rufinus of Aquileia, Clementine Recognitions 1.12,” in Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, entry published April 28, 2023, https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/512.
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Bibliography:
Joseph L. Rife, “Rufinus of Aquileia, Clementine Recognitions 1.12.” In Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, edited by Joseph L. Rife., edited by Joseph L. Rife. Caesarea City and Port Exploration Project, 2023. Entry published April 28, 2023. https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/512.About this Entry
Entry Title: Rufinus of Aquileia, Clementine Recognitions 1.12
Authorial and Editorial Responsibility:
- Joseph L. Rife, general editor, Vanderbilt University
- Joseph L. Rife, editor, Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia
- David A. Michelson, Daniel L. Schwartz, and William L. Potter, technical editor, “Rufinus of Aquileia, Clementine Recognitions 1.12”
- Joseph L. Rife, entry contributor, “Rufinus of Aquileia, Clementine Recognitions 1.12”
Additional Credit:
- Testimonium edited by Joseph L. Rife
- TEI record created by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium translated by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium transcribed by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium identified by Joseph L. Rife
- Editorial review by Joseph L. Rife