Hierarch Sylvester, Bishop of Pereyaslavl

Saint Sylvester, Bishop of Pereyaslavl, was a medieval Kievan Rus hierarch and one of the redactors of the Primary Chronicle (Povest' vremennykh let). From 1115 he served as hegumen of St. Michael's Vydubytsky Monastery in Kiev. On 1 January 1118 he was consecrated Bishop of Pereyaslavl by Metropolitan Niphont I. Sylvester is best known as a chronicler: in 1116, continuing the work of Venerable Nestor, he copied and expanded the chronicle compilation, bringing the narrative up to the beginning of 1123 — effectively up to his own death. The Laurentian Codex of the Primary Chronicle preserves his famous colophon under the year 1110: "Abbot Sylvester of St. Michael's wrote this book, the chronicle." His work was a crucial link in the formation of the all-Rus chronicle tradition and remains one of the most valuable historical sources for 10th–12th century Rus. He reposed on 12 April 1123. His feast is kept on 12/25 April. He should be distinguished from two other saints of the same name: Venerable Sylvester of the Kiev Caves (feast 2/15 January) and Pope Sylvester I of Rome, all three of whom are frequently confused.