The Holy Pope of Rome Sylvester
Commemorated on January 2
The Holy Pope of
Rome Sylvester (314-335) was born at Rome of Christian parents named
Rufinus and Justa. His father soon died, and the saint remained in the care of
his mother. Sylvester's teacher, the presbyter Quirinus, gave him a fine
education and raised him as a true Christian. Having reached the age of
maturity, Sylvester set about fulfilling the command of the Lord about service
to neighbour, and particularly concerned himself with the taking in of
vagrants, offering them in his own house shelter and respite. During a time of
persecution against Christians, Sylvester did not hesitate to take in the holy
confessor Bishop Timothy, who dwelt with him for more than a year and who by
his preaching converted many to Christ. After the Martyr's death of Timothy, Sylvester
secretly took up the body of the saint and reverently gave it burial. This
however came to the attention of the city-head Tarquinius, and the saint was
arrested and brought to trial. Tarquinius demanded him to renounce Christ,
threatening him with torture and death. Saint Sylvester was however not
intimidated, and he remained steadfast in his confession of faith, and was then
thrown into prison. When Tarquinius suddenly died after the trial, the saint
was set free and fearlessly he evangelised amongst the pagans, converting many
to Christianity. At thirty years of age Saint Sylvester was accepted into the
clergy of the Roman Church and was ordained to the dignity of deacon, and then
also presbyter, by Pope Marcellinus (296-304). After the death of Pope
Militiades (or Melchiades, 311-314), Saint Sylvester was chosen bishop of Rome.
He zealously concerned himself about the purity of life in his flock, and he
insisted that presbyters strictly fulfill their duty, and not be overwhelmed
with worldly matters.
Saint Sylvester
became reknown as a profound expert on Holy Scripture and as a staunch defender
of the Christian faith. During the reign of the emperor Saint Constantine the
Great, when the periods of persecution had ended for the Church, the Jews
arranged a debate about the true faith, at which were present the holy
Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine and his mother – the holy Empress
Helen, together with a numerous retinue. On the side of the Christians Pope
Sylvester stood forth, and on the side of the Jews – a number of learned
rabbis, headed by Zambrius, a magician and sorcerer. On the basis of the Sacred
books of the Old Testament, Saint Sylvester convincingly demonstrated, that all
the prophets foretold the Birth of Jesus Christ from the Immaculate Virgin, and
also His voluntary Suffering and Death for the Redemption of the fallen race of
mankind, and His glorious Resurrection. In this verbal confrontation the saint
was declared the victor. Then Zambrius tried to resort to sorcery, but the saint
obstructed the evil by calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Zambrius
and the other Jews came to believe in Jesus Christ, and they besought that
there be made over them the holy Baptism. Pope Saint Sylvester directed the
Roman Church for more than twenty years, and earning deep esteem as a
Christian. He died peacefully in old age in the year 335.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
