Saint of the Day – 23 November – St Clement of Metz (3rd-4th Centuries) The 1st Bishop of Metz, now in France, Miracle-worker. Also known as Clemens and The Dragon Slayer.
Born around the 3rd or 4th Century, Clement of Metz was the 1st Bishop of Metz, now in France. Medieval accounts tell the fascinating tale of Titus Flavius Clemens, a Roman Senator initially tasked with persecuting Christians under the orders of Emperor Nero. However, he converted to the Christian Faith and was Baptised.
At that time, the Apostle Peter, already established as the Bishop of Rome, encouraged his disciples to spread the Gospel in Gaul. Clement, having been Consecrated Bishop, received the mission of evangelising the City of Metz. owever,, his journey was marked by a tragic event – the death of St Materne of Cologne, his companion, in Alsace.
Returning to Rome, Clement received from the St Peter, a staff with miraculous powers. With this object, he managed to resurrect St Materne, a prodigious act which greatly contributed to the conversion of the local inhabitants.
Clement arrived in Metz accompanied by Celeste, a Priest and Felix, a Deacon, who would later become his successors. During the reign of Orius, the King of Metz, Clement took up residence on the hill of Sainte-Croix, where he preached to the population.
The culmination of his apostolate came, when he resurrected the recently deceased daughter of King Orius. This spectacular miracle led to the Royal couple being Baptised, followed by a mass conversion of the local population.
Graoully is a legendary animal which was born in the middle of the Metz amphitheatre. According to legend, this giant dragon spat flames with the smell of sulfur and devastated everything in its path. The residents consequently never dared to venture into the neighbourhood and some even considered leaving the City.
Faced with the distress of the City, Clement prayed for the aid of God in assisting the frightened people. If the people of Metz agreed to be Baptised, the Christian Bishop would find a way to get rid of this hideous animal.
Clement then went to the Graoully habitat (at the amphitheater) passing by the hill of Sainte-Croix and continuing his route in the middle of a crowd whom he silenced with a firm ‘keep quiet’ in a street, named since that day, ‘the Quiet Street’
When he arrived, the brave man put his shawl around the beast’s neck to drag it to the Seille (the river which crosses the City) into which he threw himself with seven little Graoullys. From that day on, the people of Metz never heard of the Graoully again. On the other hand, the Graoully has become a strong symbol of the City and has been found in several events in the City since the 10th Century. To celebrate its disappearance, a monument was built on the site where the monstrous creature once stood – this is a Monument to the Christian Faith, Metz Cathedral, dedicated to our Saint, (listed as a historic monument). and to its courageous Bishop Clement whoc vanquished the enemy of them all.
This dragon is mainly represented in the crypt of the Cathedral. A semi-permanent sculpture of Graoully is also suspended in the air of the Rue Taison.
Today, a Statue of Saint Clement holding a chained dragon is also visible on the portal of the Virgin of the Saint-Etienne Cathedral of Metz. Finally, this mythical animal also appears on the coat of arms of Metz City.
AnaStpaul 