Questions of the Brothers, the Syriac translation of Basil of Caesarea's Small Asketikon, is edited for the first time from ancient manuscripts and translated into English. Silvas highlights the unique character of the Syriac translator's own contribution to the text

Earning her PhD from UNE (2001), Silvas is an experienced researcher in Basil of Caesarea and and his circle. She has located the site of his original ascetic retreat and published an updated critical edition of the Rule of Basil. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.