Clement was a known figure in the early Roman church and
was chosen as successor to Peter, as the Bishop of Rome.
Clement was a disciple of blessed Peter and had been assigned to
investigate and record the sufferings and deeds of the Martyrs.
Clement had also written about the Christian religion with the purpose of
saving others. Because of these writings and of his ability to
convert people to Christ, the emperor Trajan exiled Clement to the
wilderness near the city of Cherson across the Black Sea. It was
here that Clement found about two thousand Christians who had also been
similarly condemned by the emperor.
Clement continued to convert unbelievers in the region
and was, at the
command of that same emperor, cast into the sea with an anchor tied to
his neck. He won the crown of martyrdom. His body was later
brought to Rome by Pope Nicholas I
and was honorably buried in the church
that had already been dedicated to him.
Clement's home in Rome was a gathering place for Christians from the
earliest of times; it stood in the shadow of the Coliseum. An
early Christian basilica was built on the site of his home and around
1100 a newer basilica was built over the ruins of the old church.
The present basilica has been under the care of the Irish Dominican
Fathers since1640 and is considered a special gathering place for the
people of Slavic descent.
The symbol for St. Clement is the anchor that depicts the martyr's
death. You will find this symbol on the church's lectern.