Saint Sylvester’s Day, more commonly known as New Year’s Eve, is the celebration of the New Year, taking place every year on December 31st in many countries around the world. While it has several names around the world—New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, the last day of December, Hogmanay, Silvesterlauf—Saint Sylvester’s Day follows its own set of traditions and superstitions that are often unique to each country or region within them.
1) Saint Sylvester was born in Auvergne
We don’t know for sure when Saint Sylvester was born, but it is generally thought that he was born in Auvergne, France. The exact year of his birth is unknown, but based on his death date of December 31, 335 AD (the last day of his life), it’s estimated that he was probably around 75 years old at the time of his death. And while we don’t know exactly where in Auvergne he came from, one thing is certain: He ended up in Rome. His lifelong quest to live a holy life led him to leave home at a young age.
2) His birth name was Sucbertus
Sucbertus (Latin for pleasant) was not a saintly name, but it fits because St. Sylvester was later canonized after his death. No one knows why he chose to change his name. Perhaps he chose St. Silvester as a sign of respect for Pope St. Silvester I, who had helped him become a priest, or perhaps he thought it sounded fancier than Sucbertus! Regardless of his reasoning, only St. Silvester is known throughout history as Saint before his death—even during his lifetime!
3) He was baptised by Saint Hilary
The Catholic Church refers to him as Sylvester I, but that’s not his real name. His birth name was Quintus Fabius Maximus Meridius, and it wasn’t until he converted to Christianity that he began going by his nickname, which in Latin means from a forest. When he was growing up in Rome, Saint Sylvester became friends with many people who would grow up to be important church leaders. Most notably, Saint Cyprian of Carthage once gave him a donkey because Cyprian knew Sylvester loved riding horses so much that he’d found a way to do it even when there weren’t any around.
4) He studied at Rome under Saint Peter
Many historians believe that Saint Maximinus of Trier died on December 31st. A year after his death, a synod was held in Rome on December 31st to celebrate Saint Sylvester’s day, and decided it would be wise to have an annual celebration on that date to honor him. While there are no surviving writings of Maximinus himself referencing his birthday, some historians believe it is possible he died of natural causes during an early New Year’s celebration. While he may not have been born on January 1st, there are still many ways you can learn more about St. Maximinus of Trier. Here are ten interesting facts about St. Sylvester’s day you can share with your friends and family tonight! Visit https://ru-geld.de/en/holidays/list/neujahrstag.html to know more about this.
5) St. Jerome mentions St. Sylvestre Valaisanensis
St. Maximinus of Trier was born in 308, became a priest at age 19, and died on December 31st, 348. His feast day is celebrated on January 2nd by order of Pope St. Siricius in 396. St. Sylvester I (314-335) played an important role in spreading Christianity to people around Rome who would be better off without it: St. Sylvester I was elected pope in 314 after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity throughout Rome . It didn’t take long for St.
6) St. Maximinus of Trier died on December 31st
Saint Maximinus of Trier was a third-century bishop of Trier and is widely venerated as a saint. He died on December 31st and is said to have been buried in Esch, near Prüm in Germany. His relics were taken by Saint Helena to Rome, and he was buried near St. Lawrence outside the walls. His relics are still kept in Rome’s church of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. In medieval times, they were carried through town every year on December 31st at 10pm for public veneration, even though it was too cold for most people to stay outdoors for very long.
7) St. Benedict celebrated his first mass with St. Sylvester
There are a few different versions of how Saint Sylvester baptized Emperor Constantine, one of which has him anointing Constantine with water from a healing spring. In another version, Constantine had been seriously wounded in battle and was dying from his injuries when Sylvester healed him through baptism. Before converting to Christianity, Emperor Constantine had been a pagan who persecuted Christians in his empire: He ordered bishops and other church leaders executed and he destroyed many churches and temples. However, in 313 A.D., he claimed to have seen a vision of Saint Peter and Jesus Christ during an intense battle against Roman emperor Maxentius. They supposedly instructed him to use his authority to help Christians instead of persecuting them.
8) Pope Liberius consecrated him pope
No one knows for sure. We do know he was one of three popes in A.D. 300 to have that name, though, which means no one was likely ever able to tell them apart . On his feast day, December 31st , it is believed that if you eat fish with fennel, you will never go wrong in predicting who will become pope in future years . Pope Sylvester I became ill shortly after celebrating Christmas Mass in A.D. 314 and he passed away on January 6th , aged 72—the same day when Pope John Paul II passed away in 2005 . He introduced Easter eggs to Christian culture : As late as 350 A.D.
9) Some historians believe he baptized Emperor Constantine I (the Great), who had previously persecuted Christians; others claim this act was carried out by Pope Silvester II during the 9th century A.D.
Pope Sylvester I didn’t exactly start Christianity, but he has long been credited with converting Christian leader Constantine. The story goes that Constantine had a dream that told him to build a church on Rome’s holy sites, which is why he commissioned St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside-the-Walls—and thus ended persecutions of Christians in Rome. Emperor Constantine is considered one of many important figures in Western civilization’s move toward embracing Christianity as its main religion, so it seems fitting Pope Sylvester I helped make that happen. What else do you know about Pope Sylvester I? Let us know in the comments below!
10) Pope John XXIII (1410-1415), declared him Patron Saint of Drivers
Legend has it that when Pope John XXIII died he asked for his hat. A search was made, but no one could find it. Suddenly an angel appeared and took him by hand to heaven. The next day he sent his hat to Rome, along with a note saying It is better to travel than to arrive. Today in Rome there is a special mass celebrated in memory of Pope John XXIII, which includes giving drivers their hats back!
