Today in the Lesser Feasts and Fasts, we remember Ephrem of Edessa (modern day Urfa, Turkey) who was a teacher, poet, orator, and defender of the Christian faith.
Edessa was an early center for the spread of Christian teaching in the East. In 325, Ephrem accompanied his bishop, James of Nisibis, to the Council of Nicea. Ephrem’s writings are an eloquent defense of the Nicene Creed which affirms that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man.
After the Council of Nicea, Ephrem lived in a cave outside Edessa. There he lived in simplicity and devoted himself to writing, and Ephrem frequently went into the city to preach.
During a famine in 372, Ephrem worked distributing food to the hungry, and organizing an ambulance service for the sick. However, he worked so hard at this that he became exhausted and sick and died.
Here is one of Ephrem’s prayers:
O Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the spirit of laziness, meddling, self-importance and idle talk.
Instead, grace me, Your servant, with the spirit of modesty, humility, patience, and love.
Edessa was an early center for the spread of Christian teaching in the East. In 325, Ephrem accompanied his bishop, James of Nisibis, to the Council of Nicea. Ephrem’s writings are an eloquent defense of the Nicene Creed which affirms that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man.
After the Council of Nicea, Ephrem lived in a cave outside Edessa. There he lived in simplicity and devoted himself to writing, and Ephrem frequently went into the city to preach.
During a famine in 372, Ephrem worked distributing food to the hungry, and organizing an ambulance service for the sick. However, he worked so hard at this that he became exhausted and sick and died.
Here is one of Ephrem’s prayers:
O Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the spirit of laziness, meddling, self-importance and idle talk.
Instead, grace me, Your servant, with the spirit of modesty, humility, patience, and love.
Indeed, my Lord and King, grant that I may see my own faults, and not condemn my brothers and sisters, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. O God, be gracious to me, a sinner. Amen.
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