Sylvester I of Rome Our father among the saints Sylvester I was
Bishop of Rome from January 31, 314 to December 31, 335. He
headed the Church of Rome during the first two decades following
the Edict of Milan. He is commemorated on January 2. Little is
known of the early life of Sylvester. He was born in Rome to
Rufinus and Justa. The date of his birth is unknown. His father
died while Sylvester was young. Raised by his mother, he
received his education from the priest Quirinus who gave him a
Christian education. As a young adult, Sylvester strove to
fulfill the Lord's command to love one's neighbor. He welcomed
strangers and travelers into his home and did not hesitate to
provide shelter for more than a year to the confessor Bishop
Timothy of Antioch. Bp. Timothy preached actively, bringing many
to Christianity. His activities came to the attention of the
Roman Prefect Tarquinius who had Timothy arrested and then
executed. Sylvester secretly took his body and buried it. When
Tarquinius found out, he had Sylve