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While attending the St. Sergius Institute, Ivan made his vows and was tonsured a [[monk]] on [[March 8]], 1938 by Metr. Evlogius (Georgievich), giving him the name Sylvester. He was [[ordain]]ed a [[deacon]] the next day and then a [[priest]] on [[April 10]], 1938. After his graduation, he served [[parish]]es in eastern France and, after World War II began, served also Orthodox servicemen in the French armed forces. In 1941 after the Germans had occupied France they began to bring in many Russians as prisoners to labor camps. Feeling a call to help them he obtained permission from his [[bishop]] and the authorities to serve them. From then on he devoted his time fully to helping the prisoners. In 1944, after being falsely accused, he was confined by the Gestapo for six weeks in solitary confinement before being cleared by an investigation.

On [[April 27]], 1952 he was consecrated Bishop of Messina within the West European Exarchate of the [[Patriarchate of Constantinople]]. His consecration took place at the church of St. Sergius Institute in Paris with the Exarch Metr. Vladimir (Tihonitsky) and Bp. Cassian (Bezobrazov) officiating. Two years later, after initially assisting the Metropolitan in his administrative duties, he was transferred to Nice from where he oversaw the parishes in southern France and Italy.