Saturday, March 30, 2024

Pope Sylvester in Byzantine Menaion

Sometimes Orthodox apologists claim Rome was largely, if not completely, irrelevant in the first ecumenical council of Nicea (Nicaea).

However, the Menaion that the Orthodox Church prays says otherwise:

O God-bearing father Sylvester, thou wast shown to be a pillar of fire leading the sacred council in sanctity, an overshadowing cloud leading the faithful away from the deception of Egypt and ever guiding them on toward the divine land by thy constant teachings. Wherefore, we honor thy right glorious and most sacred memory.--Menaion, 2nd Day of the Month of January, At Vespers (Tone VIII) (translated by Isaac Lambertsen) 

Thou didst show thyself to be the leader of the sacred council, O initiate of the sacred mysteries, and didst adorn the cathedra of the preƫminent of the disciples, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!--Menaion, 2nd Day of the Month of January, At Matins, Ode VIII, Canon of the Hierarch (translated by Isaac Lambertsen)

Another translation of the Vespers above is found on a Ukrainian Greek Catholic website:

O holy Father Sylvester, bearer of God,* you revealed yourself to be a pillar of fire.* You convoked a sacred council and were the cloud which gives shade.* You led the faithful away from the Egyptian heresy* and always brought them to the divine land by your true teaching.* Therefore, we venerate your blessed and all-holy memory. --Menaion, 2nd Day of the Month of January, At Vespers (Tone VIII) (translation by RoyalDoors) also found on Archeparchy of Pittsburgh