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Lives of the Saints:

How They Changed the World

Saint Clement of Rome (d. 101)

Saint Clement of Rome (d. 101)

Patron saint of boatmen, stonecutters, and sick children

Feast day: November 23




Saint Clement of Rome was a convert who was brought into the Christian faith by either Saint Peter or Saint Paul. He was selected to serve as Bishop of Rome. Saint Clement penned a letter, known as Clement’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, from the Church in Rome to the Church in Corinth. The letter asked those participating in the immoral practice of prostitution to cease their actions and repent for their unchristian behavior. Clement’s First Epistle to the Corinthians was extremely important because it designated the author, the pope, as the head of the Christian Church, and the center of the Christian Church as Rome. Clement was allegedly martyred by being tied to an anchor and tossed from a ship into the Black Sea. (Image in public domain-70)