Clement I, pope and martyr - November 23rd
St Clement I (d. 97) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
Legend holds that St Clement I was exiled to the Crimean region of Ukraine. After converting many people in the region it is believed that he was thrown into the sea with an iron anchor attached to his body. Many years later St Cyril is said to have found some bones and an anchor in Crimea. These were believed to be the relics of St Clement I. He then carried these relics to Rome where they were placed in the Basilica of San Clemente.
First Class Relics
Basilica di San Clemente (Basilica of Saint Clement)
Via di San Giovanni in Laterano
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Colosseum.
*The remains of St Clement I and of St Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107) rest beneath the main altar. On the feast of St Clement I a reliquary bust containing his skull is festively carried in procession through the streets of Rome.
*Also a chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to Saints Cyril (d. 869) and Methodius (d. 885). The extant remains of St Cyril rest within the altar of this chapel.
Churches of Honor in Rome
San Girolamo dei Croati
(Saint Jerome of the Croatians)
Via Tomacelli 132
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Tiber River just west of the Spanish Steps. It is not open often.
*The first chapel on the left side of the nave contains a painting that depicts Saints Cyril and Methodius giving the relics of St Clement I to Pope Adrian II.
