Monk
There is little information regarding the origin and birthplace of the Venerable Sylvester. He was tonsured and became a monk with the blessing of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. For the first years of his ascetic life he lived in the saint’s monastery. With his blessing, he later moved northeast, settling on the banks of the Obnora River, where he built a cell and began to live in solitude, devoting himself entirely to prayer.
When a local resident discovered his hermitage, word spread about his ascetic life. The traveler reported seeing bright rays of light above the place where the hermit used to live. The saint himself recounted many incidents from his life and spoke of a wondrous man who appeared to him and helped him not to suffer from hunger.
After this, local people began to visit him for spiritual guidance and counsel. The saint did not prevent them from building new cells nearby, so that soon there arose the need for a church. Saint Sylvester went to Moscow, where he met Metropolitan Alexius, received his blessing to establish a church, and was appointed abbot of the new monastery.
New ascetics continued to gather around him, and the monastery became a place of blessing and consolation. The saint often withdrew for prayer, though he never failed to receive and comfort those who sought his help.
In his old age he fell ill. The brotherhood gathered around him, sorrowing for his condition. However, the saint comforted them, speaking of God’s will and of the need to keep His commandments. He reposed on April 25, 1379. He was buried near the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
The monastery he founded continued to exist for more than four centuries. After his death, many miracles occurred at his grave. Records of these miracles have been kept since 1645, when numerous healings took place through the veneration of his holy relics. In one such case, Hieromonk Job, recognizing the sin he had carried, was healed and regained his sight after praying to Saint Sylvester.
