Saint Ephrem of Syria

Today the Church commemorates Saint Ephrem of Syria. Ephrem was born in Nisibis at the beginning of the fourth century. He was educated at Edessa. As a disciple of Saint Jacob of Nisibis, he was ordained to the diaconate and was a lecturer in the newly-established school at Nisibis. After the fall of Nisibis, Ephrem departed from the city and began to teach in Edessa, where he lived as a "solitary" in a cell on a rock hill. After a life of good works, preaching, religious writings and ascetical exercises. Ephrem was a prolific writer and left the Church an abundance of sermons, commentaries and hymns. Because of this enormous amount of material, he was given the titles “Pillar of the Church” and “Harp of the Holy Spirit.” The body of his writing comprises a central part of the liturgical prayer life of the Antiochene Churches. After a fruitful life, he died peacefully in 373.

Prayer of the Day

Pour out on us, O Lord, that same Spirit by which your deacon Ephrem rejoiced to proclaim in sacred song the mysteries of faith; and so gladden our hearts that we, like him, may be devoted to you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.