Sylvester of Rome

Pope of Rome in the time of St. Constantine the Great.

St. Sylvester was Bishop of Rome in the first half of the fourth century, during the reign of St. Constantine the Great, when the Church emerged from persecution. The First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea was held during his episcopate, and he was represented there by his legates.

Tradition connects him closely with the emperor Constantine and with the building of the first great churches of Rome. He reposed in peace and is commemorated on January 2.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Sylvester of Rome is commemorated on January 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 15 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Sylvester, Silvester, Silvestros, Sylvestros

Also commemorated on January 2

• 

  Seraphim of Sarov

  Venerable, Σεραφείμ

  Beloved Russian monastic saint, wonderworker of Sarov.

  Name days: Serafim, Serafeim, Seraphim

• Theagenes of Parium

  Hierarch, Θεαγένης

  Hieromartyr Theagenes, Bishop of Parium on the Hellespont.

  Name days: Theagenes, Theagenis

• Theodote the Mother of the Unmercenaries

  Holy Woman, Θεοδότη

  Righteous Theodote, mother of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

  Name days: Theodote, Theodoti, Theodota

• 

  Basil of Ancyra

  Martyr, Βασίλειος εξ Αγκύρας

  Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra, who suffered under Julian the Apostate.

• Juliana of Lazarevo

  Holy Woman, Ιουλιανή η Δικαία

  Righteous Juliana of Lazarevo, a laywoman of Murom famed for her mercy to the poor.

• George the Iberian

  Martyr, Γεώργιος ο Ίβηρ

  New Martyr George of Georgia, martyred at Mytilene in the eighteenth century.