Today is the feast of St. Clement I of Rome, Bishop and Apostolic Father. He is traditionally thought to be the Clement mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:3 and was the third bishop of Rome after Peter, but sometimes is treated as the first; at least according to one way of reading the tradition, while he was the third bishop of Rome assisting under Peter, he was the first bishop of Rome to be the actual successor of Peter, by Peter's own wishes. In any case, he is an important figure for the transition from first-century to second-century Christianity.
From 1 Clement 55:3-56:2 (perhaps worth noting that 'manly' in ancient Greek is exactly the same word as 'courageous'):
Many women being strengthened through the grace of God have performed many manly deeds. The blessed Judith, when the city was beleaguered, asked of the elders that she might be suffered to go forth into the camp of the aliens. So she exposed herself to peril and went forth for love of her country and of her people which were beleaguered; and the Lord delivered Holophernes into the hand of a woman. To no less peril did Esther also, who was perfect in faith, expose herself, that she might deliver the twelve tribes of Israel, when they were on the point to perish. For through her fasting and her humiliation she entreated the all seeing Master, the God of the ages; and He, seeing the humility of her soul, delivered the people for whose sake she encountered the peril. Therefore let us also make intercession for them that are in any transgression, that forbearance and humility may be given them, to the end that they may yield not unto us, but unto the will of God. For so shall the compassionate remembrance of them with God and the saints be fruitful unto them, and perfect. Let us accept chastisement, whereat no man ought to be vexed, dearly beloved. The admonition which we give one to another is good and exceeding useful; for it joineth us unto the will of God.
