Feast Day – January 2

Verses

Magician Zambres was shamed when the dead bull lived,
And although dead, Sylvester the Pope of Rome lives.
On the second day Sylvester breathed out his last breath.

Life

Saint Sylvester was born in Rome to Christian parents named Rufinus and Justa. After his father’s early death, he remained in his mother’s care. The presbyter Quirinus provided him with an excellent education and raised him as a devout Christian.

As an adult, Sylvester embodied Christ’s commandment to love one’s neighbour. He frequently welcomed strangers and travellers into his home, serving them humbly. During a persecution of Christians, he courageously sheltered the holy confessor Bishop Timothy of Antioch for over a year, who converted many to Christ through his preaching.

When Bishop Timothy was arrested and executed by Prefect Tarquinius, Sylvester secretly retrieved and buried his body. This act was discovered, leading to Sylvester’s arrest. Despite threats of torture and death, he remained steadfast in his faith. After Tarquinius suddenly died, Sylvester was freed and continued evangelising among pagans, converting many to Christianity.

At thirty years of age, having attained great virtue, Sylvester was ordained first as a Deacon and then as a Presbyter by Bishop Marcellinus (296-304). Following the death of Bishop Miltiades of Rome, he was chosen as Bishop of Rome and ordained on January 31, 314. He encouraged his flock to live righteously and insisted that priests fulfil their duties without becoming entangled in secular affairs.

Public Debate with Jewish Leaders

Pope Sylvester became renowned for his expertise in Holy Scripture and as a steadfast defender of Christianity. During Emperor Constantine’s reign, when persecution of the Church had ceased, Jewish leaders arranged a public debate to determine which faith was true. Emperor Constantine and his mother, Empress Helen, attended along with a large crowd.

Saint Sylvester represented the Christians against 120 learned rabbis led by Zambres, a magician and sorcerer. Quoting from the Old Testament, Pope Sylvester convincingly demonstrated how the prophets had foretold Christ’s birth from the Virgin, His voluntary suffering and death for mankind’s redemption, and His glorious Resurrection.

When declared the victor in debate, Zambres attempted to use sorcery, but Saint Sylvester thwarted him by invoking Christ’s name. Sylvester miraculously raised a dead bull which Zambres had killed but could not resurrect. Following this miracle, Zambres and many other Jews came to believe in Jesus Christ and requested baptism.

Legacy

During Sylvester’s pontificate, Emperor Constantine built great churches in Rome, including the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Old Saint Peter’s Basilica, and several cemeterial churches over martyrs’ graves. Though Sylvester did not personally attend the First Council of Nicaea in 325, he sent two legates, Vitus and Vincentius, and approved the Council’s decisions.

Saint Sylvester guided the Church of Rome for more than twenty years, earning his flock’s esteem. He died peacefully in old age on December 31, 335, and was buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla.

Historical Note

After Sylvester’s death, a fictional account developed regarding his relationship with Constantine, which was later used to support papal supremacy claims. This fiction, represented in the sixth-century Symmachean forgeries, claimed that Sylvester cured Constantine of leprosy through baptism. In gratitude, Constantine allegedly confirmed the bishop of Rome’s primacy, resigned his imperial insignia, and served as the papal groom.

In truth, Constantine was baptised before his death in Nicomedia by Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia. Constantine had desired baptism in the Jordan River but was unable to fulfil this wish.

Hymns

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Sylvester, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As a companion of the holy ascetics, thou O God-bearer, hast been worthily shown forth as a true priest of priests before our King and God. Wherefore, thou rejoicest now with the choirs of the Angels, filled with gladness and delight in the Heavens, O Father. Renowned Sylvester, famed shepherd of Rome, save them that honour with love thy memorial.