Silvanus of Neamt

Silvanus was a hieroschemamonk and great abbot of Neamț Monastery from 1422 until his repose in 1448. He is named in the Romanian Paterikon and venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization; the sources available to us give no day of commemoration.

He was a disciple of Metropolitan Joseph Mușat and of Abbot Dometian, raised in the community of Neamț. He learned much at the monastery's school of scribes, from the monk Gabriel Uric, then became a hieromonk and skilled confessor. In 1422, after the death of Abbot Pimen, he was appointed abbot and led the monastery for more than twenty-⁠five years.

He continued Dometian's work at Neamț and Bistrița. He increased the number of monks, many of whom lived as hermits in the surrounding forests, and raised confessors and abbots known throughout Moldavia. He strengthened the order of the services, and the cantors of Neamț were renowned: the prince himself and the dignitaries of the land came to hear them. Hesychast life flourished around the two monasteries; the best-⁠known hermit of the time was Joseph, who laboured on Mount Bisericani with seventeen disciples.

Under his guidance several patristic writings were copied at Neamț, among them the Ladder of Saint John Climacus, the Pearl of Saint John Chrysostom, anthologies of sayings and lives of saints. Also through his care the Neamț Epitaphios, which bears his name, was embroidered in gold thread in 1437. New cells were built and renewals made.

He was counsellor to Alexander the Good and to his sons, took part in the prince's funeral in 1432 and tried to reconcile the disputes among the heirs to the throne. He reposed in peace in 1448, leaving numerous disciples.