St Sylvester

St. Sylvester became Pope in 314 when Emperor Constantine ruled.  It was a time of change for the church because the rule of Emperor Diocletian had just ended.  Diocletian hated Christians and had many of Jesus’ followers killed.  Emperor Constantine did not like Christians either, at first.  Many were afraid he would be mean like the emperor before him.

Emperor Constantine found out he had leprosy, a very bad skin disease that had no cure in those days. One night the emperor had a dream he was visited by St. Peter and St. Paul.  The saints told him to go visit Pope Sylvester and that he would be healed.  Emperor Constantine hurried to see the pope and asked to be baptized.  Pope Sylvester gladly did as the emperor asked and, during the baptism, the emperor was healed. Emperor Constantine then did everything he could to help spread the Good News of Jesus.

St. Sylvester continued to be pope until his death in 335.  He was a very wise and strong leader. With the help of Emperor Constantine, he was able to build up Christ's Church after it had been through such hard times.