RELIC OF SAINT CLEMENT WITH DOCUMENT

Impressive 19th-century oval reliquary in gilded brass, richly surrounded by a setting of diamond-cut glass cabochons, containing a first-class Ex Ossibus relic: a complete rib of Saint Clement Martyr. The relic, carefully wrapped in fine gauze fabric, rests on a red velvet ground and is identified by an old handwritten label: “St. CLEMENT. M.” (abbreviation of Sanctus Clemens Martyr).

Around the bone, a delicate decoration of small gilded metal flowers evokes a sacred radiance, emphasizing the dignity of the martyr and the importance of the relic. The rib rests on deep red velvet, the traditional color of the blood of Christ and of the martyrs, heightening the sacrificial meaning of the object. The red enhances the pale bone and creates a highly noble visual contrast. The original glass protects the ensemble, mounted in an elegant setting typical of the second half of the 19th century.

On the reverse, the reliquary retains its red wax ecclesiastical seal, crossed with silk sealing threads, attesting that it has never been opened since its authentication.

The relics of Saint Clement Martyr, the third successor of Saint Peter, remain particularly sought after. Their distribution is very ancient: from the earliest centuries, they were divided between Rome and Chersonesus, which considerably limited the circulation of fragments available for later reliquaries.

The presence of a complete long bone – an entire rib – is extremely rare. Most 19th-century reliquaries contain only tiny fragments, often enclosed within small devotional medallions. Whole bones, originating from early translations, were rarely removed from major sanctuaries and were entrusted only to important churches, chapels, or monasteries.

It is known that the principal relics of Saint Clement are today preserved in Rome, in the Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano, dedicated to the saint and built upon early Christian structures; in Chersonesus (Crimea), the traditional site of his martyrdom, where ancient sources recount the discovery of his body; and, from the 9th century onward, an important portion was transferred to St. Clement’s in Kyiv, where the relics brought by the missionaries Cyril and Methodius were venerated from an early date.

Outside these major centers, authenticated relics of Saint Clement are very scarce. Examples preserving a complete bone, such as this entire rib, are considered exceptional, both for their material importance and for the solemn dignity they confer upon a large reliquary.

The reliquary is accompanied by an original authentic document issued by Aimé-Victor-François Guilbert, Bishop of Amiens in 1880, certifying the authenticity of the relics contained within.

"Diocese of Amiens

We, Amatus Victor François Guilbert, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Amiens,

Make known to all and each who shall read or examine these present letters that we, for the greater glory of Almighty God and the veneration of the Saints, have lawfully recognized the following relics, namely:
a portion of the bones of Saint Clement, Martyr.

These relics, taken from authentic places, we have piously deposited in an oval gilded shrine fitted with a single crystal glass, properly closed and bound with a red silk thread, sealed with our red wax seal bearing our inscription, with the faculty to retain them personally, to give them, and to expose them for the public veneration of the faithful in any Church, Oratory, or Chapel of our Diocese.

In witness whereof, we have ordered that these testimonial letters be written by hand by our Secretary General of the Curia, signed by us and furnished with our customary seal.

Given at Amiens, in our Episcopal Residence, in the Year of Our Lord 1880, on the 7th of December.

By order of His Excellency, the Bishop of Amiens
Signed: E. Lenoir, Secretary"

PERIOD : 1880
DIMENSION : 15.5 cm × 8.5 cm
SIZE : 6.1" × 3.4"

Saint Clement, disciple of the Apostles and one of the earliest Bishops of Rome, was exiled under Trajan for his fidelity to Christ. Refusing to renounce his faith, he died a martyr, according to tradition, by being cast into the sea tied to an anchor. His cult spread very early in the primitive Church, and his relics were honored in Rome, in Chersonesus, and in numerous basilicas.

Venerated as a defender of the apostolic faith, Saint Clement is celebrated on November 23.
His memory, associated with the image of the anchor, remains a symbol of constancy, hope, and Christian fidelity.