Pope Silvester I (314–35) was a Roman successor of St. Miltiades (St.
Melchiades). He was pope under the reign of Emperor Constantine I, who
built for him the Lateran and other churches. St. Sylvester sent legates
to the First Council of Nicaea and took strong interest in the controversy
over Arianism. The spurious Donation of Constantine was supposedly given to St. Sylvester. The name is also
spelled Silvester. He was succeeded by St. Marcus. Feast: Dec. 31.