Saint Sylvester was born in Rome around the year 250. Very little is known about his early life, but many traditions and legends are associated with him. According to these accounts, Sylvester was placed at a young age under the guidance of a priest, who formed him in religious discipline and sacred learning. From his youth, he showed deep charity, especially toward Christians passing through Rome. He welcomed them into his home, washed their feet, served them at table, and cared for them lovingly in the name of Christ.
Among those he sheltered was Timothy of Antioch, a renowned confessor of the faith. When Timothy arrived in Rome, fear prevented others from receiving him, but Sylvester considered it an honour to offer him hospitality. For an entire year, Timothy preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great zeal, while Sylvester generously shared his home and possessions.
After Timothy suffered martyrdom, Sylvester buried his remains. Soon afterward, he was falsely accused of hiding the martyr’s treasures and was imprisoned by order of the governor. In response to the accusation, Sylvester calmly said, “Timothy left me only the inheritance of his faith and courage.”
When the governor later died suddenly after choking on a fish bone, the guards were deeply shaken. Their hearts softened, and they released the innocent young man. Sylvester’s courage and faith came to the attention of Pope Melchiades, who ordained him a deacon.
During the severe persecution under Emperor Diocletian, Sylvester was still a young priest. Many Christians were forced to choose between offering pagan sacrifices or facing death. In these dangerous times, Sylvester strengthened confessors and martyrs, and God preserved him through many trials.
After the death of Pope Melchiades, Sylvester was elected Pope in the year 314. He governed the Church until his death in 335. His pontificate is especially remembered for the period of peace that followed persecution, the Council of Nicaea, the Baptism of Emperor Constantine, and the triumph of the Church.
A well-known tradition from his pontificate tells of Emperor Constantine, who was afflicted with leprosy and was still a pagan, unfamiliar with Christian teaching. One night, Saint Peter and Saint Paul appeared to him in a vision and instructed him to summon Pope Sylvester, who would heal him through Baptism. Constantine obeyed, and after being baptized by the Pope, he was cured and embraced the Christian faith.
Although many details of Saint Sylvester’s life remain uncertain, his memory endures in the Church. His feast is celebrated on December 31, in remembrance of his death in the year 335.