Silvester of Troina

Saint Silvester of Troina was born in Italy, though the details of his early life have not come down to us. Drawn to God in the way of the Eastern monastic tradition, he entered a Basilian monastery at Bari. There his humility and desire for hiddenness were so great that, when the community sought to raise him to the office of abbot, Silvester chose flight rather than honor. Leaving the monastery behind, he embraced a life of solitude, spending the remainder of his days as a hermit, devoted to prayer, penance, and quiet communion with the Lord. Remembered for his simplicity and his refusal of worldly esteem, Silvester became a beloved figure of holiness in Sicily. He is venerated especially in the town of Troina, which honors him as its patron and keeps alive the tradition that he is buried there, in the church dedicated to him, San Silvestro. His feast day is celebrated on January 2.