Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent at Ss Sylvester and Martin

With our mind’s eye we imagine the pillar of smoke billowing out of a roaring fire, into which scrolls are being thrown, while the pope and clergy of the city look on, their faces illuminated by the blaze.  This was the scene at this location in 326 when the works of Arius and other theologians condemned at Nicea I were burned, a public sign of their rejection by the Church.  Tradition holds that the first place of Christian worship on this site was in the house of a priest named Equitus, after whom the titulus would later be called upon its foundation by St. Silvester in the early fourth century.  

This was the location for both the preparatory meeting of the Roman clergy, in which they prepared their statement of faith for Nicea I, as well as the subsequent reception of the decrees of the council and carrying out of the destruction of the works of those there condemned.  Tradition passes down that a basilica in honor of St. Martin of Tours was built nearby in the late fifth century.  Later some older buildings nearby were converted into a church named after St. Silvester.  St. Silvester I became pope in 314, just after the legalization of Christianity.  He oversaw the construction of the Lateran basilica and the other early churches built after the Edict of Milan.  Along with this he helped in the development of the liturgy in the city, including in the preparation of the martyrology.  He also supported the orthodox belief in the Arian crisis (From: Procedamus in Pacem, PNAC).

Collect

We invoke your mercy in humble prayer, O Lord, 

that you may cause us, your servants, 

corrected by penance and schooled by good works, 

to persevere sincerely in your commands and 

come safely to the paschal festivities. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever.