The Failed Cult of Saint Clement of Rome in Medieval Iceland

The author examines the practice of veneration of St. Clement of Rome within the Western and Eastern Christian churches, as well as in Iceland, where his cult was less widespread. Based on the image of St. Clement in Old Norse literature, it can be concluded that the saint holds a particular role in this society as an apologist for intellectual culture and a new ideal of the educated person, combining knowledge of Christian doctrine with the Latin seven liberal arts. Therefore, according to the author's hypothesis, Pope Clement was regarded as a paragon of bishops, the patron saint of education, and a role model for clergy and students aspiring to become priests.