St Sylvester I

Word for the day

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

Life

Sylvester was Bishop of Rome from 314 to 335, in the years just after the emperor Constantine granted freedom to Christians in 313. After centuries of persecution, the Church could worship openly and build churches.

During his pontificate the great basilicas of Rome began to rise, including the Lateran and the first basilica of St Peter. In 325 the Council of Nicaea defined that the Son is of one substance with the Father; Sylvester was represented there by his legates.

Later legends said that Sylvester baptised Constantine and received from him rule over the West, but these stories are not historical: Constantine was baptised near the end of his life in 337. Sylvester died on 31 December 335 and was among the first non-martyrs honoured as saints in Rome.

Lessons

Faithful in peace

Holiness is needed in times of freedom too.

Unity of faith

The Council of Nicaea defended the true faith.

Truth over legend

We honour the saints truthfully.

Stories

The Council of Nicaea (history)

In 325 more than two hundred bishops met at Nicaea and professed that the Son is true God from true God. Sylvester sent priests to represent him.

The baptism of Constantine (legend)

A medieval legend says that Sylvester healed and baptised Constantine; in fact Constantine was baptised in 337, shortly before his death.

Homily

1. After the storm

The Church enters a time of freedom.

2. The faith of Nicaea

True God from true God.

3. Ending the year with gratitude

Faithfulness in every season.

Dear friends, on the last day of the year we remember Pope St Sylvester. He led the Church in Rome just after the long persecutions ended, when Christians could finally worship freely.

Freedom brought new challenges: comfort, worldliness, and the temptation to rely on power. In those years the Council of Nicaea professed the faith we still pray in the Creed: Jesus Christ is true God from true God, of one substance with the Father.

Later legends made Sylvester into a wonder-worker who baptised the emperor, but the truth is simpler: he was a faithful shepherd in a time of change. Peter's faith, the rock on which Christ builds His Church (Matthew 16:18), was kept firm.

As we end this year, let us thank God for the faith handed down to us, and ask for the grace to remain faithful in times of ease as well as hardship. Amen.

Prayer

Lord, help your people through the intercession of Pope St Sylvester, and as we end this year, keep us faithful to the faith of the apostles. Amen.