Sylvester (or Silvester) was Bishop of Rome from 314 to 335 -- that is,
from just after the Emperor Constantine's Edict legalizing Christianity
to just before the death of Constantine. He was represented by delegates
at the regional Council of Arles in 314 (called in an attempt to heal the
Donatist schism) and at the ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 (called to
decide the Arian question). Constantine gave him the Lateran Palace,
which became his cathedral. Little else is known of him. There are later
stories of his dealings with Constantine, but these are totally
unhistorical. We remember him chiefly as a representative of Christian
leaders faced with the problem of how the Church ought to relate to a
surrounding society at least superficially friendly to it.
O God, our Heavenly Father, who didst raise up thy faithful Servant Sylvester to be a bishop and pastor in thy Church and to feed thy flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of thy Holy Spirit, that they may minister in thy household as true servants of Christ and stewards of thy divine mysteries; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
O God, our Heavenly Father, who raised up your faithful servant Sylvester to be a bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.