Iacobus de Voragine: LEGENDA AUREA

Silvester a matre re et nomine Iusta genitus a Cyrino presbytero eruditus hospitalitatem summe exercebat. Timotheus autem quidam Christianissimus ab eo in hospitium suscipitur, qui tamen ob persecutionem ab aliis vitabatur. Hic coronam assecutus est martyrii, dum praedicaret constantissime fidem Christi.

Silvester, born of a mother Justa both in fact and in name, instructed by the presbyter Cyrinus, most highly practiced hospitality. Moreover, a certain most Christian Timothy was received by him into hospitality, who nevertheless was shunned by others on account of the persecution. He attained the crown of martyrdom, while he was most steadfastly preaching the faith of Christ.

Putans autem Tarquinius praefectus Timotheum multis abundasse divitiis eas a Silvestro expetiit inferens ei minas mortis. Se cum vero Timotheum huismodi divitias non habuisse comperit, Silvestrum idolis immolare praecepit, alioquin in crastinum diversa reciperet genera tormentorum. Cui Silvester: "Stulte, hac nocte morieris et sempiterna turmenta recipies et, velis nolis, verum Deum esse, quem colimus, recognosces."

But thinking that Timothy had abounded in riches, Tarquinius the prefect demanded them from Sylvester, leveling threats of death against him. But when he discovered that Timothy had not had riches of this sort, he ordered Sylvester to sacrifice to idols, otherwise on the morrow he would receive diverse kinds of torments. To him Sylvester: "Fool, this night you will die and you will receive eternal torments, and, whether you will or not, you will recognize that he is the true God whom we worship."

Silvester igitur carceri traditur et Tarquinius ad prandium invitatur. Dum ergo comederet, os piscis in eius gutture sic versatur, ut nulla ratione· reicere potuerit vel glutire. Sicque media nocte defunctus ad tumulum cum luctu ducitur et Silvester cum gaudio a carcere liberatur, qui non solum a Christianis, sed etiam a paganis miro diligebatur affectu.

Silvester therefore is handed over to prison, and Tarquinius is invited to luncheon. While he was eating, a fish’s bone is so turned about in his gullet that by no method could he either cast it back or swallow it. And so, at midnight, deceased, he is led to the tomb with mourning, and Silvester, with joy, is liberated from prison—who was loved with wondrous affection not only by Christians but even by pagans.

Erat enim aspectu angelicus, sermone nitidus, integer corpore, sanctus opere, consilio magnus, fide catholicus, spe patientis simus, caritate diffusus.

For he was angelic in aspect, polished in speech, sound in body, holy in deed, great in counsel, catholic in faith, most patient in hope, diffused with charity.

Morto igitur Melchiade, episcopo urbis Romae, Silvester ab omni plebe plurimum renitens in summum pontificem est electus. Hic omnium orphanorum et viduarum et pauperum nomina in matricula scripta habebat et omnibus necessaria providebat. Hic quartum et sextum diem et sabbatum lelunw instituit observandum, quintum vero quasi dominicum re servandum.

With Melchiades, bishop of the city of Rome, having died, therefore, Silvester, very much resisting, was elected by all the people as supreme pontiff. He had the names of all orphans and of widows and of paupers written in the matricula, and he provided the necessaries for all. He instituted the fast to be observed on the fourth and sixth day and the Sabbath, but the fifth to be kept as if the Lord’s day.

Graecis vero Christianis dicentibus sabbatum potius quam quintum diem celebrandum respondit hoc fieri non debere, et quia hoc est traditionis apostolicae et quia dominicae debetur compassio sepulturae. Cui illi: "Unum est sabbatum sepulturae, in quo semel in anno ieiunium exhibendum." Quibus Silvester: "Sicut omnis dies dominicus resurrectionis gloria sic omne sabbatum decoratur dominica sepultura."Igitur de sabbato acquiescunt, sed de quinta feria vehementer contendunt asserentes non debere Christianorum solemnitatibus sociari. Silvester autem eius dignitatem praecipue in tribus ostendit.

But when Greek Christians said that the sabbath rather than the fifth day ought to be celebrated, he replied that this ought not to be done, both because this belongs to apostolic tradition and because compassion is owed to the Lord’s sepulture. To him they: "There is one sabbath of sepulture, on which once in the year a fast is to be exhibited." To whom Sylvester: "As every Lord’s day is adorned by the glory of the resurrection, so every sabbath is adorned by the Lord’s sepulture."Therefore concerning the sabbath they acquiesce, but about the fifth day they contend vehemently, asserting that it ought not to be associated with the solemnities of Christians. But Sylvester showed its dignity especially in three ways.

Quoniam hac die Dominus coelum ascendit et corporis su; et sanguinis sacramentum instituit et sacrum chrisma ecclesia confecit. Omnes igitur rationibus eius acquiescunt.

Because on this day the Lord ascended to heaven and instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, and the church prepared the sacred chrism. Therefore all acquiesce to his reasons.

Persequente autem Constantino Christianos Silvester de urbe exiit et in quodam monte cum suis clericis mansit. Ipse autem Constantinus merito persecutionis tyrannicae in incurabilem cecidit plagam leprae. Tandem ad consilium pontificum idolorum adducta sunt tria milia puerorum, ut eos occidi faceret et se in eorum sanguine recenti et calido balnearet.

But as Constantine was persecuting the Christians, Sylvester went out from the city and remained on a certain mountain with his clerics. Constantine himself, as a due consequence of tyrannical persecution, fell into an incurable plague of leprosy. At length, at the counsel of the pontiffs of idols, three thousand boys were brought in, that he might have them killed and bathe himself in their fresh and warm blood.

Egrediente autem eo ad locum, ubi balneum parari debebat, matres puerorum eidem occurrerunt, quae resolutis crinibus miserabiliter ululabant, et iacrimans Constantinus iussit stare currum et erigens se dixit: "Audite me, comites et commilitones et omnes populi, qui adstatis. Dignitas Romani populi de fonte nascitur pietatis, quae etiam hanc legem dedit, ut capitali sententiae subderetur, quicumque in bello occidisset infantem. Quanta ergo erit crudelitas, ut hoc nostris faciamus filiis, quod fieri prohibuimus alienis!

But as he was going out to the place where the bath was to be prepared, the mothers of the boys met him, who, with loosened hair, were ululating miserably; and Constantine, weeping, ordered the chariot to stand, and, raising himself, said: "Hear me, companions and fellow-soldiers, and all peoples who stand by. The dignity of the Roman people is born from the font of piety, which also gave this law: that whoever had slain an infant in war should be subjected to a capital sentence. How great, then, will the cruelty be, that we should do to our own sons this which we forbade to be done to others!"

Quid iuvat barbaros superasse, si a crudelitate vincamur. Nam vicisse extraneas nationes ratione virium est bellantium populorum, vincere autem vitia et peccata virtus morum. In illis ergo proeliis fortiores nos exsistimus illis, in his vero nobis ipsis fortiores simus.

What does it avail to have overcome the barbarians, if we are conquered by cruelty? For to have vanquished foreign nations is a matter of the strength of warring peoples, but to conquer vices and sins is the virtue of morals. In those battles, therefore, we prove stronger than them; in these, however, let us be stronger than ourselves.

Qui enim fuerit in isto certamine superatus victoriam obtinet victus. Victor autem post victoriam vincitur, si pietas ab impietate superatur. Vincat ergo pietas in isto congressu.

For whoever has been overcome in this contest obtains victory, though defeated. But the victor, after victory, is conquered, if piety is overcome by impiety. Therefore let piety prevail in this encounter.

Bene enim omnium adversariorum poterimus esse victores, si sola pietate vincamus. Omnium enim se esse dominum comprobat, qui servum se monstravit pietatis. Melius est ergo me mori salva vita innocentium quam per eorum interitum vitam Persequente autem Constantino Christianos Silvester de urbe exiit et in quodam monte cum suis clericis mansit.

For indeed we shall be able to be victors over all adversaries, if by piety alone we conquer. For he proves himself to be lord of all, who showed himself a servant of piety. It is better therefore for me to die with the life of the innocents safe than life through their destruction. While, moreover, Constantine was persecuting the Christians, Sylvester went out from the city and remained on a certain mountain with his clerics.

Ipse autem Constantinus merito persecutionis tyrannicae in incurabilem cecidit plagam leprae. Tandem ad consilium pontificum idolorum adducta sunt tria milia puerorum, ut eos occidi faceret et se in eorum sanguine recenti et calido balnearet. Egrediente autem eo ad locum, ubi balneum parari debebat, matres puerorum eidem occurrerunt, quae resolutis crinibus miserabiliter ululabant, et iacrimans Constantinus iussit stare currum et erigens se dixit: "Audite me, comites et commilitones et omnes populi, qui adstatis.

But Constantine himself, by the desert of his tyrannical persecution, fell into an incurable plague of leprosy. At length, at the counsel of the pontiffs of the idols, three thousand boys were brought in, that he might have them killed and bathe himself in their blood, fresh and warm. But as he was going out to the place where the bath was to be prepared, the mothers of the boys met him, who, with hair unbound, were ululating miserably; and weeping, Constantine ordered the chariot to stand, and lifting himself up he said: "Hear me, companions and fellow-soldiers, and all peoples who stand by.

Dignitas Romani populi de fonte nascitur pietatis, quae etiam hanc legem dedit, ut capitali sententiae subderetur, quicumque in bello occidisset infantem. Quanta ergo erit crudelitas, ut hoc nostris faciamus filiis, quod fieri prohibuimus alienis! Quid iuvat barbaros superasse, si a crudelitate vincamur.

The dignity of the Roman people is born from the fount of piety, which also gave this law: that whoever had slain an infant in war be subjected to a capital sentence. How great, then, will the cruelty be, that we do this to our own sons, which we have forbidden to be done to others! What does it avail to have overcome the barbarians, if we are vanquished by cruelty?

Nam vicisse extraneas nationes ratione virium est bellantium populorum, vincere autem vitia et peccata virtus morum. In illis ergo proeliis fortiores nos exsistimus illis, in his vero nobis ipsis fortiores simus. Qui enim fuerit in isto certamine superatus victoriam obtinet victus.

For to have conquered foreign nations is, by the reckoning of forces, a matter for warring peoples; but to conquer vices and sins is the virtue of mores. In those battles, therefore, we come forth stronger than they; but in these, let us be stronger than ourselves. For he who shall have been overcome in this contest obtains the victory, conquered.

Victor autem post victoriam vincitur, si pietas ab impietate superatur. Vincat ergo pietas in isto congressu.

But the victor, after victory, is vanquished, if piety is overcome by impiety. Therefore let piety prevail in this engagement.

For indeed we shall be able to be victors over all adversaries, if we conquer by piety alone. For he proves himself to be lord of all, who showed himself a servant of piety. It is better, therefore, for me to die with the life of the innocents safe than to recover a cruel life through their destruction.

Quam tamen recuperare incertum est, cum tamen certum sit, quod sic recuperata crudelis est. " Iussit igitur, ut matribus sui pueri redderentur et dona plurima et infinita et vehicula praeberentur. Sicque matres, quae flendo venerant, ad loca sua cum gaudio redierunt.

Which, however, to recover is uncertain, while it is certain that, recovered thus, it is cruel. " He therefore ordered that their own boys be returned to their mothers, and that very many and infinite gifts and vehicles be furnished. And thus the mothers, who had come with weeping, returned to their own places with joy.

Ipse autem imperator ad palatium suum reversus est.

The emperor himself, however, returned to his palace.

Sequente vero nocte Petrus et Paulus apparuerunt ei dicentes: "Quoniam exhorruisti effusionem sanguinis innocentis, misit nos Dominus Iesus Christus dare tibi recuperandae consilium sanitatis. Silvestrum igitur episcopum, qui apud montem Siraptim latitat, accerse. Hic tibi piscinam ostendet, in qua immersus tertio ab omni curaberis leprae morbo.

On the following night, however, Peter and Paul appeared to him, saying: "Since you shuddered at the effusion of innocent blood, the Lord Jesus Christ has sent us to give you counsel for the recovery of health. Therefore summon Bishop Sylvester, who is lying hidden near Mount Siraptim. He will show you a pool, in which immersed for the third time you will be cured of every disease of leprosy.

Tu vero Christo hanc vicissitudinem reddas, ut idolorum templa diruas, Christi restaures ecclesias et eius deinceps cultor fias." Evigilans igitur Constantinus statim milites misit ad Silvestrum. Videns autem Silvester milites statim ad palmam martyrii credidit se vocari. Deo autem se recommendans et socios secum adhortans Constantino intrepidus praesentatur.

"But you, for your part, render this recompense to Christ: tear down the temples of idols, restore the churches of Christ, and thereafter become his worshiper." Therefore, awakening, Constantine immediately sent soldiers to Silvester. But seeing the soldiers, Silvester at once believed that he was being called to the palm of martyrdom. Yet commending himself to God and exhorting his companions with him, he is presented to Constantine intrepid.

Cui Constantinus ait: "Bene te venisse gratulamur." Qui a Silvestro resalutatus narravit ei per ordinem sui somnii visionem. Percunctanti vero Constantino, qui essent illi duo dii, qui sibi apparuerunt, Silvester respondit illos esse Christi apostolos et non deos. Tunc ad preces imperatoris Silvester apostolorum imagines sibi iussit afferri.

To whom Constantine said: "We congratulate you on having come well." He, being re-greeted by Silvester, recounted to him in order the vision of his dream. But to Constantine inquiring who those two gods were who had appeared to him, Silvester replied that they were Christ’s apostles and not gods. Then, at the prayers of the emperor, Silvester ordered images of the apostles to be brought to him.

Quas ut imperator aspexit, tales esse, qui sibi apparuerunt, exclamavit.

When the emperor looked upon them, he exclaimed that such were they who had appeared to him.

Silvester igitur eum catechumenon fecit et unius hebdomadae sibi ieiunium indixit et carceres aperire monuit. Cumque in aquam descendisset baptismatis, mirabilis ibi emicuit splendor lucis, sicque inde mundus exivit et Christum se vidisse aperuit. Prima autem die sui baptismatis hanc legem dedit, ut Christus in urbe Romana tamquam verus Deus coleretur.

Silvester therefore made him a catechumen and imposed upon him a fast of one week, and he advised that the prisons be opened. And when he had descended into the water of baptism, a marvelous splendor of light flashed forth there, and thus he came out from it clean, and disclosed that he had seen Christ. Moreover, on the first day of his baptism he gave this law: that Christ in the city of Rome be worshiped as the true God.

Secunda, ut, si quis Christum blasphemaret, puniretur. Tertia, ut, quicumque Christiano fecisset iniuriam, bonorum suorum parte dimidia privaretur. Quarta, ut sicut imperator Romae sic Romanus pontifex caput ab universis episcopis habeatur.

Second, that, if anyone should blaspheme Christ, he be punished. Third, that whoever should have done an injury to a Christian be deprived of half of his goods. Fourth, that just as the emperor at Rome, so the Roman pontiff be held as head by all bishops.

Quinta, ut, quicumque in ecclesias confugerit, ab omnibus servetur Iniuriis immunis. Sexta, ut nullus nisi de licentia sui antistitis ecclesiam aedificat intra muros alicuius civitatis. Septima, ut ad aedificationem ecclesiarum decimae possessionum regalium tribuantur.

Fifth, that, whoever has fled for refuge into churches, be kept by all immune from Injuries. Sixth, that no one build a church within the walls of any city except by the license of his own prelate. Seventh, that for the building of churches tithes of the royal possessions be granted.

Octava imperator ad ecclesiam Sancti Petri venit et de suis culpis se Iamentabiliter accusavit. Postmodum arrepto bidente ad fundamentum ecclesiae basilicae construendum terram primus aperuit et duodecim cophinos in suis scapulis foras eiecit. [. . .]

Eighth, the emperor came to the church of Saint Peter and lamentably accused himself of his faults. Afterwards, having taken up a bident for the foundation of the church’s basilica to be built, he first opened the earth and carried out twelve baskets upon his own shoulders. [. . .]

Post aliquos vero dies idolorum pontifices ad imperatorem venerunt dicentes: "Sacratissime imperator, ille draco, qui est in fovea, postquam fidem Christi recepisti, plus quam trecentos homines quotidie interficit flatu suo." Consulente super hoc Constantino Silvestrum respondit: "Ego per Christi virtutem eum ab omni cessare laesione faciam." Promittunt pontifices se, si hoc faciat, credituros. Orante autem Silvestro Sanctus Spiritus ei apparuit dicens: "Securus ad draconem descende tu et duo presbyteri, qui sunt tecum, cumque ad eum veneris, eum taliter alloquaris: 'Dominus noster Iesus Christus de virgine natus, crucifixus et sepultus, qui resurrexit et sedet ad dextram patris, hic venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Tu ergo Satana, eum in hac fovea, dum venerit, exspecta.' Os autem eius ligabis filo et anulo crucis habente signum desuper sigillabis.

But after some days indeed the pontiffs of the idols came to the emperor, saying: "Most sacred emperor, that dragon which is in the pit, after you received the faith of Christ, kills more than three hundred men daily by his breath." Constantine consulting about this, Sylvester replied: "I, by the virtue of Christ, will make him cease from every harm." The pontiffs promise that, if he does this, they will believe. But as Sylvester was praying, the Holy Spirit appeared to him, saying: "Confidently descend to the dragon, you and the two presbyters who are with you, and when you come to him, address him thus: 'Our Lord Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, crucified and buried, who rose and sits at the right hand of the Father, is to come here to judge the living and the dead. Therefore you, Satan, await him in this pit until he comes.' But his mouth you will bind with a cord, and with a ring having the sign of the cross you will seal it from above.

Postea ad me sani et incolumes venietis et panem, quem vobis paravero, comedetis." Descendit itaque Silvester cum duobus presbyteris in foveam per gradus CL duas secum ferens laternas. Tunc draconi praedicta verba dixit et os ipsius stridentis et sibilantis, ut iussus fuerat, alligavit et ascendens invenit duos magos, qui eos secuti fuerant, ut viderent, si usque ad draconem descenderent, ex draconis foetore paene mortuos. Etiam eos secum adduxit incolumes atque sanos, qui statim cum multitudine infinita conversi sunt sicque Romanorum populus a duplici morte liberatus, scilicet a cultura daemonis et veneno draconis.

"Afterwards you will come to me sound and unharmed, and you will eat the bread which I shall have prepared for you." Thus Sylvester descended with two presbyters into the pit by 150 steps, carrying two lanterns with him. Then he spoke to the dragon the aforesaid words, and its mouth, strident and sibilant, he bound, as he had been ordered; and going back up he found two magi, who had followed them to see whether they would descend all the way to the dragon, almost dead from the dragon’s fetor. He also brought them up with him unharmed and whole, who at once, with an infinite multitude, were converted, and thus the people of the Romans were freed from a double death, to wit, from the cult of the demon and the venom of the dragon.

Tandem beatus Silvester morti appropinquans clerum de tribus admonuit, scilicet ut inter se caritatem haberent, ecclesias suas diligentius gubernarent et gregem a luporum morsibus custodirent. Post haec in Domino feliciter obdormivit circa annum Domini CCCXX.

At length the blessed Sylvester, approaching death, admonished the clergy of three things, namely that they should have charity among themselves, should govern their churches more diligently, and should guard the flock from the bites of wolves. After these things he happily fell asleep in the Lord around the year of the Lord 320.