Saint Sylvester's Day

Saint Sylvester's Day
Feast of Saint Sylvester
Saint Sylvester as depicted in the 13th century Livre d'images de madame Marie [fr]
Also calledSilvester
Observed byAnglicanism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Reformed
TypeChristian
SignificanceFeast Day of Pope Saint Sylvester I
Final day of the Gregorian calendar
CelebrationsFireworks, Theatre-going, Feasting, Making a toast, Partying[1]
ObservancesAttending a Watchnight Mass, often held around midnight
Date31 December (Western Christianity)
2 January (Eastern Christianity)
FrequencyAnnual
Related toNew Year's Eve, Christmastide, New Year's Day, Feast of the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Saint Sylvester's Day, also known as Silvester or the Feast of Saint Sylvester, is the day of the feast of Pope Sylvester I, a saint who served as Pope from 314 to 335. Medieval legend made him responsible for the conversion of emperor Constantine. Among the Western churches, the feast day is held on the anniversary of Saint Sylvester's death, 31 December, a date that, since the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, has coincided with New Year's Eve. For these Christian denominations, Saint Sylvester's Day liturgically marks the seventh day of Christmastide.[2] Eastern churches celebrate Sylvester's feast on a different day from the Western churches, i.e. on 2 January. Saint Sylvester's Day celebrations are marked by church attendance at a Watchnight Mass that is often held around midnight, as well as fireworks, partying, and feasting.[1]

  1. ^ a b Berkmoes, Ryan Ver; Cole, Geert; Berry, Oliver; Else, David (2009). Western Europe. Lonely Planet. p. 551. ISBN 9781741049176. The German New Year's Eve is called Silvester in honour of the 4th-century pope under whom the Romans adopted Christianity as their official religion; there's partying all night long.
  2. ^ Watts, Isaac (1 November 2013). Joy to the World: The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas. Paraclete Press. p. 49. ISBN 9781612615301.