Clement was a slave owned by the cousin of the emperor, Domitian.
He was succeeded by the martyr Linus (66-78), the martyr Cletus (79-91), and
then Clement (91-101). He may have been a co-worker with Paul (Phil 4:3) and a
witness of Peter and Paul's martyrdoms. He wrote a letter to the Corinthians
(96), the first known example of a Pope intervening in the affairs of another
Church and speaks of the Orders of bishop, priest, and deacon as being
instituted by Christ (for a while this was considered by some to be part of the
New Testament). Legend has it he was martyred by being drowned with an anchor
tied around his neck. His earthly remains rest under the main altar. Saints
Cyril and Methodious are also buried here.
This ancient church is living
history. It was first a temple to Mithras (pre-Roman). An imperial palace was
then built on top of the ruins (1st C). Clement had a house here where he
gathered the faithful for Divine Liturgies. It continued to be a place of
worship.
Constantine started to built a church on this site and it was
dedicated in 384. This church was destroyed by the Norman invaders (1804). The
present church was built on top of the ruins by Pachal II (1099-1118). The
former ruins have been excavated so you can now go down and visit all four
levels of history. Extraordinary!! Raphael was the architect (1483-1520).
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