Jun

9

Ephrem, diaconus et doctor ecclesiae

June 9, 2008 |

St. Ephrem, fourth century son of a pagan priest, was instructed by St. James, bishop of Nisibis, and baptised at eighteen. When the region was lost to Persia in AD363, the Christian population abandoned Nisibis and moved to Edessa, where Ephrem spent the rest of his life as a hermit, known for his severe asceticism. He is known to have been a deacon and countered heretical sects active in Edessa, notably that of the philosopher Bardesanes. His literary work comes from this period: sermons, hymns, exegetical tretises. He is said to have met St. Basil and rejected his offer of the priesthood and an episcopate. The body of St. Ephrem is said to be in possession of the monastery of St. Sergius in Edessa. Twenty years after his death, St. Jeromes mentioned him in his catalogue of illustrious Christians as Ephraem, deacon of the Church of Edessa. The New Advent page goes on to list his writings. He is a doctor of the Church.

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Scripture
I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee. Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel. (Ps 120:1-4)

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