November 23rd. St. Clement (Clement 1. Pope & Martyr).

His name is mentioned in the 'Roman Canon [Canon 1] of the Mass. He was the fourth Bishop of Rome, after Peter, Linus and Cletus. He is known principally for his Letter to the Corinthians, written in about 96. Apart from providing evidence for the work of Peter and Paul in Rome, and their martyrdom there, it is the earliest example of the involvement of the Bishop of Rome in the affairs of another Church, the charitable concern of the Pope for the life of all the churches. In fact this letter was included in the Mass readings in the church in Corinth. and is included in one version of the New Testament (the so-called Codex Alexandrinus), though it was never to be universally accepted as 'inspired Scripture'. Tradition has it that Clement was exiled to the Crimea, and forced to work in the mines. This did not stop him making converts, and he was put to death in about 100AD by being hurled into the sea with an anchor round his neck (the anchor is his symbol). This submarine death did not prevent relics of the saint coming to Rome, to the famous church of San Clemente near the Colosseum. In England. the most famous church dedicated to him is the RAF Church of St. Clemment Danes in the Strand; he is also patron of Trinity House, providers of lightships and lighthouses.