"O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant.” - St. Ephrem
Saint Ephrem of Syria, a deacon, hermit, and Doctor of the Church is commemorated on June 9 by the Roman Catholic Church. During the fourth century, he made significant contributions to the spirituality and theology of the Christian East. He became the first and only Syriac Christian to be named a Doctor of the Church in the Catholic Church in 1920. He took on the specific responsibility of combating the numerous false ideas that were pervasive at the time while being a sincere and resolute defender of the Catholic Church.
Approximately in 306, Ephrem was born in the city of Nisibis. Traditions dispute his family origins, with some texts claiming that his father was a pagan priest at one time. According to some versions, his family was either totally Christian or later became so.
Following his baptism, Ephrem started to give his soul's salvation more serious thought. Under the guidance of an elder, who permitted him to live alone, he adopted an ascetic way of life. Ephrem lived in a fairly austere way with few luxuries and little food while supporting himself through physical labor, creating sails for ships.
Bishop James of Nisibis, Ephrem's friend, and spiritual guide, passed away in 338. Soon after, Ephrem relocated to Edessa in what is now Turkey from his solitary life. He was well-known for his sermons, which combined persuasive arguments for Catholic orthodoxy with compelling appeals for repentance. He was ordained as a deacon at Edessa.
Along with the theological poetry for which he is most well-known, the deacon was a prolific author who produced commentaries on every book of the Bible. Ephrem explained and popularized theological concepts using verses in the Syriac language. His writings demonstrate profound understanding and familiarity with the Scriptures even though he was not a man of high intellect. Ephrem exhibits a practical and empathic attitude as well as a deep devotion to the humanity of Jesus in his writing about the secrets of mankind's redemption. It is thought that Dante was motivated by his poetic description of the Last Judgment.
He composed hymns denouncing the heretics of his time. He would appropriate the tunes from the popular songs of the heretical movements and create lovely hymns that embodied orthodox doctrine. Ephrem was one of the first to use music in the public liturgy of the Church as a means of educating the faithful. His many hymns have gotten him the title "Harp of the Holy Spirit."
Late in his life, the deacon traveled to Caesarea, where he was instructed by God to seek the advice of the archbishop who would later become known as Saint Basil the Great. Basil offered Ephrem advice that he would take to heart as he spent his final years in solitude praying and writing, helping him to overcome some of his spiritual issues.
Ephrem briefly left his hermitage toward the end of his life to aid the ill and impoverished during a famine. His last illness occurred in 373, most likely as a result of a disease received while serving in this capacity.
When his own death approached, he told his friends: “Sing no funeral hymns at my burial … Wrap not my carcass in any costly shroud: erect no monument to my memory. Allow me only the portion and place of a pilgrim; for I am a pilgrim and a stranger as all my fathers were on earth.”
In June 373, St. Ephrem of Syria passed away. Soon after his passing, his contemporary Saint Gregory of Nyssa gave a public remembrance of him and ended by pleading for Ephrem's intercession. “You are now assisting at the divine altar, and before the Prince of life, with the angels, praising the most holy Trinity,” said Gregory. “Remember us all, and obtain for us the pardon of our sins.”
Other Saints of the Day
Saint Baithin
Saint Richard of Andria
Saint Jose de Anchieta
Saint Maximian of Syracuse
Saint Vincent of Agen