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Actually 1 Clement quotes from vatrious Gospel verses but never mentions any of the authors. It simply says "lord Jesus Christ said..."

I am sure you are well aware that the Church Fathers often did not "cite" the Scripture chapter and verse - they merely relate "It is written...". The editors of the various books on the Church Fathers add the Scriptural locations of their citations for us who have not memorized the Bible yet!

Of course, I agree with you that the names of the writers of the Gospels are based on tradition.

Regards

12,217 posted on 04/03/2007 5:40:29 PM PDT by jo kus (Humility is present when one debases oneself without being obliged to do so- St.Chrysostom; Phil 2:8)

Jo, I agree with what you are saying en toto. My point was that +Irenaeus is the first Father who initiated references to Gospel authors (as we do), and others followed in his example when quoting. As far as we know none did before him.