When the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, crowds of people around the world will be celebrating the new year. However, as people stay out late, shoot off fireworks, and feast, many won’t know that they are participating in traditions honoring an early church pope and saint, St. Sylvester.
St. Sylvester served as pope from 314 to 335 A.D. Although this was 1700 years ago, the feats of St. Sylvester’s papacy make him a legendary figure.
As pope, St. Sylvester served during the reign of Emperor Constantine. Before Constantine, the emperors had been less than friendly to Christianity, most actively persecuting the early Christians. However, Constantine’s Edict of Milan gave Christians freedom of religion in 313, ushering in a new era for the Church.
Though this was a time of newfound liberty for the Church, it was also the time when she faced the first great heresy to challenge her teachings: Arianism. The Church responded with the Council of Nicaea, where she established the Nicene Creed and formally denounced the Arian heresy.
Under the direction of Pope Sylvester and Emperor Constantine, great churches were built in Rome such as the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and Old St. Peter’s Basilica.
St. Sylvester died on December 31st, 335 A.D., which is now celebrated as his feast day. Due to his great influence, St. Sylvester was widely honored after his death. Those devoted to him would stay up late into the night on his feast to celebrate a Watchnight Mass, host great feasts, and give glory to God. So while millions of people host parties and celebrate the strike of midnight, they are unknowingly participating in ancient traditions honoring the great St. Sylvester!
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