Saint Sylvester, Bishop of Rome

Life

Sylvester was born in Rome and from his youth instructed in worldly wisdom and the Christian faith. Sylvester always directed his life according to the Gospel commandments. Sylvester benefited greatly from the teachings of the priest Timothy, at whose execution for the faith Sylvester himself was present, and beholding the example of the heroic sacrifice of his teacher, Sylvester himself was imbued with such a spirit for his entire life. In his thirtieth year Sylvester became Bishop of Rome. Sylvester corrected the customs of Christians. Thus, for example, Sylvester abolished the fast of every Saturday, as had been held until then by some Christians, and decreed that only Holy Saturday be fasted as well as those Saturdays which fall during fasts. By his prayers and miracles Sylvester helped Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen to convert to the true faith and be baptized. Sylvester assisted Empress Helen in finding the Precious Cross. Sylvester governed the Church of God for twenty years and honorably ended his earthly life, passing into the Heavenly Kingdom.

From the Hymn of Praise

O Lord most wondrous, Thou art marvelous in Thy saints,Through Thy saints Thou dost manifest Thyself mighty and merciful,As the sun through the stars, so through Thy saints Thou shinest,To the humble Thou givest strength, and liftest them to Paradise.