Ephrem the Syrian
c. 306 – 373 · Nisibis
Also known as Ephraem · Mar Ephrem
Feast: 9 June (Catholic) · 28 January (Orthodox)
Syriac deacon, hymnographer and poet-theologian of Nisibis and Edessa. Author of the Hymns on Faith and Hymns on Paradise.
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Ephrem proves that the early church was not only Greek and Latin.
- Best first read
- Hymns on Paradise
- Primary source
- Ephrem, Hymns on Faith
Ephrem proves that the early church was not only Greek and Latin. Writing in Syriac at Nisibis and Edessa, he taught theology through hymns, images, biblical poetry, and liturgical song. His work gives us a Christianity closer in language and imagination to the Semitic world of Jesus than most later Western readers ever encounter. The fact that his hymns still live in Syriac churches matters: doctrine was sung before it was systematised.
Notable works
- ·Hymns on Paradise · 370
Primary sources
- ·Ephrem, Hymns on Faith
- ·Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 115
- ·Sozomen, Hist. Eccl. 3.16
Book of the day
Five Theological Orations
Gregory of NazianzusA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. Dense but decisive sermons on the Trinity from the theologian of Constantinople.
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