Saint Sylvester
Saint Sylvester I (born c. 270 AD in Rome, Italy; died December 31, 335 AD in Rome, Italy) was the Bishop of Rome (Pope) from January 31, 314 AD to December 31, 335 AD — a pontificate of nearly 22 years spanning the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. Though he played little direct role in the great theological controversies of his era, his pontificate saw the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), the Edict of Milan (313 AD), the construction of the major Roman basilicas (Lateran, Saint Peter's, Santa Croce), and the formal establishment of Christianity as a tolerated religion. The "Donation of Constantine" — a medieval forgery — falsely claimed he received temporal power over Rome from Constantine. His feast day is December 31.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Sylvester
| Saint Sylvester | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 31 |
| Profession | Bishop of Rome (Pope 314–335 AD); confessor; first post-persecution pope; builder of the Constantinian basilicas of Rome |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; 4th-century Roman Church; Constantinian era; Council of Nicaea; post-persecution Christianity; first great papal building program |
| Patronage | New Year's Eve ("Silvester Night" in Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other countries); Rome; stonecutters; tileworkers (from legends); the pontificate |
| Attributes | Papal tiara or vestments; the Council of Nicaea (bishops with scroll); the Lateran Basilica; a dragon (from a legend in which he imprisoned a dragon); Constantine kneeling (from the baptism legend) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died December 31, 335 AD, in Rome; he had been pope for nearly 22 years; he was buried in the catacombs on the Via Salaria (Priscilla's cemetery), not at Saint Peter's; his tomb became a pilgrimage site; his feast on December 31 — the last day of the year — gives him an association with the civil New Year's Eve that continues in some European cultures ("Silvester" is still a common New Year's Eve name in Germany, Austria, Poland, and other countries) |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti, Rome — contains his relics (translated from the Via Salaria catacombs); also venerated at San Silvestro in Capite, Rome (which claimed his head as a relic); his original tomb in the Priscilla catacomb on the Via Salaria |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); December 31; widely observed throughout Europe |
| Historic Class | Double (December 31) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Sylvester I became Bishop of Rome on January 31, 314 AD, a year after the Edict of Milan (313 AD), in which Constantine and Licinius granted toleration to Christianity throughout the Empire.
His 22-year pontificate (the longest of the early medieval period) saw the transformation of the Roman Church from a persecuted community into the favored religion of the Emperor. He received the Lateran Palace and presided over the construction of the great Constantinian basilicas: Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter's, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.
The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) — which produced the Nicene Creed and condemned Arianism — was held during his pontificate. He was represented by two priests. The Council's definitions were confirmed by the papal see.
He died December 31, 335 AD, and was buried in the Priscilla catacomb on the Via Salaria. His feast on December 31 gave his name ("Silvester Night") to New Year's Eve throughout Central Europe.
The "Donation of Constantine" — a medieval forgery — claimed he received temporal rule of the Western Empire from Constantine; it was proved a forgery by Lorenzo Valla in 1440.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
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Dynamic content
Parishes
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
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| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| St. Sylvester (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Hicksville, NY | New York | United States | https://www.stsylvesterchurch.org/ |
| St. Sylvester (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Medford, NY | New York | United States | http://www.stsylvesterli.org |
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| December 31 Saint Sylvester | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| Saint of the Day: Decemer 31st - St Sylvester | Under 5 minutes | Butler's Lives of the Saints |
| He Helped Shape Our Christian Identity (Pope St. Sylvester) | Under 5 minutes | Good Catholic |
| Powerful Prayer to St. Sylvester | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Prayer to St. Sylvester | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Saint Sylvester : Shepherd of Faith in a Transforming World | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Basilica of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti, Rome — his relics.
- San Silvestro in Capite, Rome — claimed relics (head).
- Priscilla Catacomb, Via Salaria, Rome — original tomb.
Feast day
December 31
Veneration
Saint Sylvester I was Pope during the Constantinian transformation of Christianity. His 22-year pontificate saw the Council of Nicaea, the Edict of Milan, and the construction of Rome's great basilicas. "Silvester Night" is still the term for New Year's Eve in Central Europe. Feast December 31.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.