Life of Patriarch Sylvester of Alexandria: The Proposal for Canonization

On October 8, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa resolved to canonize Patriarch Sylvester among the Saints. His memory is celebrated on February 19. Below is the proposal that was submitted for his canonization.

Life of Patriarch Sylvester of Alexandria: The Proposal for Canonization

By Archbishop Makarios of Kenya and Exarch of All East Africa 

Introduction: The Monastic Path to Holiness and the Formation of Future Leaders

When in the past I had the honor of presenting to the Synod the proposal for the canonization of the Patriarchs of Alexandria — Joachim, Meletios, Cyril Loukaris, and Gerasimos Palladas — I did not imagine that today I would stand again before you to propose yet another Saint and Patriarch: Sylvester of Alexandria.

What is remarkable is that, like the others, this Patriarch too was directly connected with the Sacred Monastery of Agarathos, as I describe below — that sacred place which nurtured and produced so many who later shone as bishops and patriarchs of the Church.

The life of the monk, especially in the Orthodox Church, is not merely a personal search for holiness, but a deeply communal and ecclesiastical journey toward it.

Monasteries, as sacred spaces of prayer, asceticism, and communal life, have historically been fertile ground for cultivating not only future bishops and patriarchs but also saints. They are places where the soul is nourished, deeper spiritual realities are revealed, and people are prepared to fulfill their God-given mission within the life of the Church.

Synaxarion of Saint Gerasimos Palladas, Patriarch of Alexandria

Synaxarion

By Metropolitan Kyrillos (Kogerakis) of Rhodes 

On the 15th of the same month [January], the Commemoration of Saint Gerasimos Palladas, Patriarch of Alexandria

Verses 

 

Gerasimos is a gift to the Church,
True to his name among those of later times.
On the fifteenth Gerasimos of Alexandria died.

This Saint was born in the middle of the seventeenth century in a village of the great island of Crete called Skillous, now known as Kalloni. His father was Theodore the Protopresbyter and rhetorician, a man who in his manner of life vied with the pious of former generations, and in speech was more distinguished and renowned than all others. From him Gerasimos was educated in general learning and instructed in virtue and piety. From there, driven by a desire for greater learning, he left his homeland and went first to Kerkyra and then to Venice.

Saint Peter of Alexandria Resource Page

St. Peter of Alexandria (Feast Day - November 24)

 

Verses

Unshakable was the faith of the beheaded Peter,

Who saw Christ with a rent tunic.

Holy Hieromartyr Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

 

November: Day 25: Teaching 1: Holy Hieromartyr Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

The Vision of Saint Peter of Alexandria

St. Peter of Alexandria Never Sat On His Patriarchal Throne

 

The Original Copy of the Gospel of John in Ephesus?

 

Patriarchate of Alexandria Canonizes Two New Saints - Saint Sylvestor of Alexandria and Venerable Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos

The canonization of two great figures of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, our Holy Father, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, Sylvester, and our Venerable and God-fearing Father Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, was carried out today by the Sacred Synod of the Second-Throne Patriarchate, which is meeting for the second day in Alexandria, under the Presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa.

Saint Sylvester, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, came from the great island of Crete. During his Patriarchate – 1569 to 1590 – the Church of Alexandria was at its peak. He will be commemorated annually on February 19th.