CrucisSt. Ephrem the Syrian
St. Ephrem the Syrian was born around 306 at Nisibis in Mesopotamia (in modern Turkey), and died on 9 June 373 at Edessa, worn out after ministering to victims of a famine and plague. A deacon rather than a priest, he served the Church as a teacher and, above all, as a poet, composing in the Syriac language rather than Greek or Latin. He is a bridge between the Semitic world of the Bible and the wider Christian tradition.
He is celebrated as one of the greatest hymnographers of the Church, earning the title 'Harp of the Holy Spirit.' His hymns and metrical homilies expound Scripture and defend orthodox faith against heresy through vivid imagery and song, and some were composed for choirs of women to sing in church. Honored as a Father and Doctor of the Church — the only Syriac writer to hold that title — he was proclaimed a Doctor in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.
Selected quotes
“Blessed is the soul that keeps watch in the night, for the Bridegroom comes when least expected.”
“As rain makes the earth fertile, so tears of repentance make the soul fertile for the seeds of grace to take root and flourish.”
“Patience is the root of peace; the soul that can wait upon God will never be disappointed, for His timing is always perfect and His purposes always good.”