Venerable · c. 306–373
Ephraim the Syrian
Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
New Calendar January 28 Old Calendar February 10
Why they are a saint
Ephraim the Syrian was deacon of Nisibis and Edessa, poet-theologian of the Syriac Church; his hymns and prayers (including a Lenten prayer) are still used. The years given for this life are c. 306–373. Orthodox Christians remember him among the venerable monastic saints.
Life
Saint Ephraim was born at the beginning of the fourth century in Nisibis in Mesopotamia to a poor farming family, and as a youth was known for his quick temper. Once he was unjustly accused of stealing a sheep and thrown into prison; there he heard a voice in a dream calling him to repent. Acquitted, he went to the mountains to join the hermits and became a disciple of Saint James of Nisibis, who made him a humble monk and entrusted him with preaching and teaching.
After Nisibis was taken by the Persians in 363 he went to a monastery near Edessa. He wrote the first Syriac commentary on the Pentateuch and many prayers and hymns, including hymns for the Great Feasts and funeral hymns. His Prayer of Repentance, 'O Lord and Master of my life,' is recited during Great Lent.
Visiting Saint Basil the Great at Caesarea, he consented only to be ordained deacon, considering himself unworthy of the priesthood, and he remained a deacon until his death; to avoid becoming a bishop he feigned madness. During a famine in Edessa he persuaded the wealthy to help the needy and built a poor-house for the poor and sick. His works were very early translated into Greek and Armenian.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
Called a teacher of repentance and a guide for monastics. The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for compunction, spiritual consolation. The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Ephraim the Syrian, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with other Ephraims.