(BEGINNING OF 4TH CENT.)
[Commemorated by the Greeks. The Greek Acts of these martyrs are
not genuine.]
S. Clement, Bishop of Ancyra, was the son of a heathen father and a
Christian mother. When Clement was ten years old, his mother died.
Before her death, she summoned him to her side, and urged him not to
desert Christ, whatever sufferings he might be called on to endure for
His sake. Being possessed of private means, on coming of age, he adopted
a number of poor boys, and educated them in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord. He was at length ordained Bishop of Ancyra, his native
city. In the persecution of Diocletian, he was taken and brought before
the governor. He was treated with great barbarity, being torn with
hooks, and his teeth and jaw broken with a large stone. As he lay among
other prisoners that night in the jail, a bright light filled it, and
the prisoners saw a man enter in dazzling garments, who held in his hand
the Holy Eucharist, and therewith he communicated the bishop. But
whether he were mortal priest, or an angel of God, no man knows. Along
with Clement, one Agathangelus and many others, men, women, and boys
suffered for Christ, whose names are written in the Book of Life.