[St. Pachomius Library]

Pope St. Sylvester I



III/IV Centuries
Elected to the papacy in 314, St. Sylvester saw the beginning of the Christianization of the Roman Empire. He was a citizen of Rome and a priest. According to legend, he cured Constantine of leprosy and baptized him. The "Donation of Constantine" supposedly gave Rome primacy over all other patriarchates and the pope dominion over Rome, Italy, and the Western Empire. It is a forgery from the VIII Century. In 325, Sylvester sent legates to represent Rome at the Council of Nicaea, which Constantine had called to settle disputes over the teachings of Arius. Sylvester reposed in 335.

Karen Rae Keck

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