Pope Saint Clement I

Stored in Cargo: Pope Saint Clement I

Pope Saint Clement I
Feast Day	November 23
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Mariners; stonecutters; marble workers; sick children
Birthplace	Rome, Roman Empire
Death Place	Chersonesus, Taurica, Roman Empire (now Crimea)
Cause of Death	Martyrdom by drowning
Primary Shrine	Basilica of San Clemente, Rome, Italy

Pope Saint Clement I (Latin: Clemens Romanus; died c. 99 AD), also known as Clement of Rome, was the bishop of Rome from c. 88 to 99 AD and one of the Apostolic Fathers, traditionally regarded as the fourth pope after Saint Peter. According to early Church records, including the Liber Pontificalis and Eusebius's Church History, Clement succeeded Anacletus and authored the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians around 96 AD, a key document urging unity and addressing schism in the Corinthian church. Exiled to Crimea under Emperor Trajan for his faith, he ministered to prisoners in quarries, reportedly performing miracles like striking a fountain from rock to quench thirst.

Venerated as a martyr in both Eastern and Western traditions, Clement's relics were translated to Rome by Saints Cyril and Methodius in 867, enshrined in the Basilica of San Clemente. His feast day, November 23, is observed in the Roman Rite, with hagiographic accounts of anchor martyrdom originating from 4th-century legends, though historical verification is limited to his episcopal role and epistle. Evidence from patristic citations by Irenaeus and Tertullian confirms his primacy in post-apostolic Rome, positioning him as a bridge between apostolic and sub-apostolic eras.

Biography

Birth

Pope Saint Clement I was born around the mid-1st century AD in Rome, Roman Empire, though exact date and parentage remain unconfirmed in primary sources. Hagiographic tradition holds he was of Jewish descent or a freedman, but this cannot be verified. Probabilistic inferences from Roman social history suggest a Gentile convert family in the imperial capital during Nero's reign.

No baptismal or childhood records exist; early life details are unavailable.

Early Life

As a Roman citizen, Clement likely received classical education before conversion to Christianity in the apostolic era. Tradition associates him with Saint Peter or Paul, possibly as the Clement mentioned in Philippians 4:3, though this identification is debated among scholars. Evidence from his epistle indicates familiarity with Old Testament and early Christian writings.

His pre-episcopal life focused on community service in Rome's growing Church.

Occupation

Clement's occupation was ecclesiastical leadership as bishop of Rome, succeeding Anacletus around 88 AD. He administered sacraments, resolved disputes, and authored the Epistle to Corinthians, intervening in a distant schism. Historical context from 1st-century Rome confirms his role in structuring hierarchy.

This work exemplified pastoral authority in the sub-apostolic Church.

Vocation

Clement's vocation as successor to Peter involved unifying fractured communities, as seen in his epistle urging obedience to presbyters. Exiled under Trajan c. 97 for evangelizing prisoners in Chersonesus, he organized worship in quarries. Hagiographic tradition describes fountain miracle and anchor martyrdom, but these cannot be confirmed historically.

His calling bridged apostolic tradition with emerging episcopal structure.

Death

Saint Clement met his end by martyrdom c. 99 AD in Chersonesus, thrown into the sea with an anchor, per tradition. Body reportedly recovered miraculously; buried locally until 867 translation to Rome.

This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification is limited.

Significant events

• Succeeded as Bishop of Rome (c. 88 AD).
• Authored First Epistle to Corinthians (c. 96 AD).
• Exiled to Chersonesus under Trajan (c. 97 AD).
• Martyred by drowning (c. 99 AD).
• Relics translated to Rome by Cyril and Methodius (867 AD).

Significant locations

Loading map...

{"minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"mappingservice":"leaflet","width":"600px","height":"400px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"zoom":3,"defzoom":14,"layers":["OpenStreetMap"],"image layers":[],"overlays":[],"resizable":false,"fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":true,"cluster":false,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clustermaxradius":80,"clusterspiderfy":true,"geojson":"","clicktarget":"","imageLayers":[],"locations":[{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBirth location: Rome, Roman Empire\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Birth location: Rome, Roman Empire\n","link":"","lat":41.9028,"lon":12.4964,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeath location: Chersonesus, Taurica, Roman Empire (now Crimea)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Death location: Chersonesus, Taurica, Roman Empire (now Crimea)\n","link":"","lat":44.6167,"lon":33.5,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBasilica of San Clemente (primary shrine and relics) (Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome, Italy)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Basilica of San Clemente (primary shrine and relics) (Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome, Italy)\n","link":"","lat":41.8897,"lon":12.4972,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESite of first Catholic Mass in English colonies (Saint Clement\u0026amp;#039\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Site of first Catholic Mass in English colonies (Saint Clement\u0026amp;#039\n","link":"","lat":38.2167,"lon":-76.75,"icon":""},{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":38.2153464,"lon":-76.7457525,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBaroque church with relics (St. Clement\u0026amp;#039\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Baroque church with relics (St. Clement\u0026amp;#039\n","link":"","lat":50.0864,"lon":14.4167,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedieval dedication (St. Clement\u0026amp;#039\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Medieval dedication (St. Clement\u0026amp;#039\n","link":"","lat":56.1567,"lon":10.2083,"icon":""},{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":56.1568544,"lon":10.2106463,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatronal church (Basilica of St. Clement, Hanover, Germany)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Patronal church (Basilica of St. Clement, Hanover, Germany)\n","link":"","lat":52.37,"lon":9.7333,"icon":""}],"imageoverlays":null}

Legend

• Birth location: Rome, Roman Empire
• Death location: Chersonesus, Taurica, Roman Empire (now Crimea)
• Notable location: Basilica of San Clemente (primary shrine and relics) (Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome, Italy)
• Notable location: Site of first Catholic Mass in English colonies (Saint Clement's Island, Coltons Point, Maryland 20626, United States)
• Notable location: Baroque church with relics (St. Clement's Church, Prague, Czech Republic)
• Notable location: Medieval dedication (St. Clement's Cathedral, Aarhus, Denmark)
• Notable location: Patronal church (Basilica of St. Clement, Hanover, Germany)

Dynamic content

Parishes

Pope Saint Clement I
No results
This map created from a Cargo query ()

Media

This will pull from Saint media.

Shrines

Dynamic shrines

This will pull in related Shrines.

List of shrines

Basilica of San Clemente

• 4th-century basilica built over Clement's house-church, designated a papal basilica under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Rome for relic veneration and apostolic devotions, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and pilgrimages with annual November 23 feasts.
• Pilgrimage details: Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome, Italy; founded 4th century; features lower church excavations, plenary indulgences on feast; Diocese of Rome.
• Facts: "Enshrines relics translated 867; site of his epistle composition."

St. Clement's Island Historic Site

• Maryland state park commemorating 1634 first Mass, designated under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Washington for colonial heritage pilgrimages, with outdoor chapel and relic fragments.
• Pilgrimage details: Coltons Point, Maryland 20626, United States; 17th century origins; annual March 25 landings; Archdiocese of Washington.
• Facts: "Named for Clement's patronage of mariners; first English Catholic settlement."

St. Clement's Church, Prague

• Baroque church with relic arm, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage site by the Archdiocese of Prague for healing devotions and historical Masses.
• Pilgrimage details: Karlova 1, 110 00 Prague, Czech Republic; 11th century; November expositions; Archdiocese of Prague.
• Facts: "Relic from 9th-century translations; tied to Slavic missions."

St. Clement's Cathedral, Aarhus

• Danish cathedral dedicated to Clement, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Copenhagen for maritime intercessions, offering sacraments and sailor blessings.
• Pilgrimage details: Bispetorv 1, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; 13th century; feast liturgies; Diocese of Copenhagen.
• Facts: "Patron of Danish seafarers; medieval anchor icon."

Basilica of St. Clement, Hanover

• German basilica with devotion to Clement, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Hildesheim for stoneworker pilgrimages and relic veneration.
• Pilgrimage details: Goethestraße 31, 30169 Hanover, Germany; 18th century; November 23 events; Diocese of Hildesheim.
• Facts: "Honors his quarry ministry; guild processions."

Canonization

Servant of God

As an ancient figure, no formal Servant of God stage applies; veneration began post-death.

Venerable

Not applicable.

Beatification

No beatification; cult approved early.

Canonization

Canonized through ancient recognition by the universal Church, with inclusion in martyrologies by 4th century.

Miracles

As an early pope-martyr, no authenticated miracles were required; hagiographic accounts describe fountain and anchor prodigies. Devotion attributes protections to mariners.

Miracle for beatification

Not applicable.

Miracle for canonization

Not applicable.

Other notable miracles

• Striking fountain in Crimean quarry for prisoners.
• Annual sea recession revealing underwater chapel with relics.

Patronage

Pope Saint Clement I is the patron saint of mariners, stonecutters, and marble workers.

Feast day

November 23

Veneration

Pope Saint Clement I is venerated through maritime blessings, relic pilgrimages to San Clemente, and liturgical feasts on November 23. Relics are kept in Basilica of San Clemente, Rome. Pope Saint Clement I has been depicted in numerous artworks, including Titian's altarpieces. Literature and media often portray Pope Saint Clement I in patristic studies. Relics and shrines dedicated to Pope Saint Clement I are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Rome's titular feasts.

Books

Written about the saint

• The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians (ancient text with commentary)
• Clement of Rome and the Didache by Kenneth J. Howell

Written by the saint

• First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

External links

• Catholic Online: Pope St. Clement I
• New Advent: Pope St. Clement I
• Vatican: Apostolic Fathers
• Early Christian Writings: 1 Clement