Silvia
Silvia, mother of Pope Gregory the Great, was a Roman woman of distinguished family, venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. She is remembered for her great piety, her role in educating her sons, and her later devotion to religion after her husband's death. She is particularly invoked by pregnant women for a safe delivery.
- Feast Day
- November 3
- Century
- 6th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Silvia was the mother of Pope Gregory the Great.
- ›She was of a distinguished family and married to Gordianus, of the gens Anicia.
- ›After her husband's death, she devoted herself to religion at a cell near the gate of Saint Paul.
- ›She continued to supply Gregory's monastic house with vegetables from her garden.
- ›Silvia built a chapel in her house on the Aventine, which later housed monks from Mar Saba.
- ›Pope Clement VIII inserted her name into the Roman Martyrology on November 3.
Sylvia
About Silvia
Silvia (c. 515 – c. 592)
Silvia, also known as Sylvia, is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. She is primarily recognized as the mother of Pope Gregory the Great and is particularly invoked by pregnant women for a safe delivery.
Life and Historical Context
Limited biographical details about Silvia's life are available. Her birthplace is sometimes cited as Sicily and at other times as Rome. She belonged to a distinguished family, being the wife of Gordianus, a Roman regionarius of the gens Anicia. Besides Gregory, she had another son whose name has not been preserved. Their family home was located on the Clivus Scauri.
Silvia was noted for her profound piety and ensured her sons received an excellent education. Following her husband's death, which occurred around 573, she dedicated herself to a religious life in a "new cell by the gate of blessed Paul." She continued to support Gregory's monastic community by supplying vegetables from her garden. A mosaic portrait of her and her husband was commissioned by Gregory the Great at the monastery of Saint Andrew, which was later meticulously described by Johannes Diaconus.
Veneration
The veneration of Silvia dates back to early times, with the Romans honoring her as a model Christian widow. She established a chapel within her house on the Aventine Hill. In 645, monks from the monastery of Mar Saba in Palestine settled in this house and dedicated it to Saint Sabas. Pope Clement VIII officially included her name in the Roman Martyrology on November 3 during his pontificate (1592–1605). A chapel dedicated to Santa Silvia is located in San Gregorio Magno al Celio.
Silvia's relatives, including her sisters-in-law Trasilla and Emiliana, and her other sister-in-law Gordiana, along with her husband Gordianus, are also venerated as saints.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Silvia?
Silvia was the mother of Pope Gregory the Great. She is venerated as a saint by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
When did Silvia live?
Silvia lived approximately from 515 to 592 AD. Her life spanned the 6th century.
What is Silvia known for?
Silvia is known for her great piety, her excellent education of her sons, and her devotion to religion after her husband's death. She is also invoked by pregnant women for a safe delivery.
Where was Silvia from?
Her native place is sometimes given as Sicily, and sometimes as Rome. She was of a distinguished Roman family.
What is Silvia's feast day?
Her name was inserted under November 3 in the Roman Martyrology by Pope Clement VIII.
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