Pope St. Clement I

Saint Clement I

Pope & Martyr

Clement was of Roman birth and Jewish descent. As a young man he was converted by the Apostles. Clement was often considered a direct successor of St. Peter, although he was actually the fourth pope to reign, succeeding St. Cletus, who succeeded St. Linus. Some historians identify him with the Clement mentioned by St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians, but this is debated. In any case, Clement reigned for about a decade, during which time he administratively divided Rome into seven regions so that better records of the martyrs might be kept. The administrators and record-keepers of these districts were the original protonotaries apostolic. One verified letter of Clement survives, while several other writings are attributed to him. The holy pontiff was personally responsible for many conversions, which eventually prompted his exile to the Crimea after several high-profile Roman citizens embraced the faith. Through preaching and miracles Clement converted many pagans in the Crimea, and the emperor Trajan finally ordered the holy pontiff to be thrown into the sea with an anchor tied round his neck. His body was miraculously revealed by the receding of the sea, and eventually translated to Rome.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for November 23rd

THE birthday [into heaven] of pope St. Clement, who held the sovereign Pontificate the third after the blessed apostle Peter. In the persecution of Trajan, he was banished to Chersonesus, where, being precipitated into the sea with an anchor tied to his neck, he was crowned with martyrdom. His body was taken to Rome during the pontificate of Nicholas I, and placed with due honors in the church which had been previously built under his invocation.

At Rome, St. Felicitas, mother of seven sons, martyrs. After them she was beheaded for Christ, by order of the emperor Marcus Antoninus.

At Merida, in Spain, St. Lucretia, virgin and martyr, who consummated her martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Dacian.

At Cyzicum, in Hellespont, St. Sisinius, martyr, who, after many torments, was put to the sword, in the same persecution.

At Iconium, in Lycaonia, the holy bishop Amphilochius, who was the companion of St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen in the desert, and their colleague in the episcopate. After many combats for the Catholic faith, he rested in peace, with the reputation of a holy and learned prelate.

At Girgenti, the decease of St. Gregory, bishop.

In the village of Hasbein, St. Tron, priest and confessor.

At Mantua, blessed John the Good, of the Order of Augustinians, whose celebrated life was written by St. Antoninus.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.