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Saint Clement, Pope and Martyr - Died ca.
100 St. Clement was the fourth bishop of Rome. In the traditional story, he was exiled to the Crimea, where he converted thousands, and then was martyred. In the Golden Legend the place of exile is said to be a marble quarry, where he performed a water miracle similar to those of Moses and St. Peter (image). In portraits St. Clement looks as at left, with a crozier and a mitre or papal tiara, and sometimes also with an anchor (example). The anchor refers to a late story, included in the Golden Legend, that St. Clement was executed by being thrown into the sea with an anchor tied around his neck. In the Legend he is thrown into the sea from a cliffside (image), but in one 15th century painting he is thrown from a ship like Jonah. In the 7th century St. Clement's body was "translated" by Saints Cyril and Methodius from the Sea of Azov to the Church of St. Clement, in Rome (image). Cyril and Methodius are also buried in that church. Feast day: November 23 At left, portrait with the Madonna and Child and St. Just Hagiography: Menu |