Mar Ephrem

Mar Ephrem, “the Harp of the Spirit” was born around 309 in or around Nisibis, where he lived until 363, when he moved to Edessa after Nisibis had been taken by the Persian Empire. His time in Nisibis was spent serving the Church faithfully as a writer, the head of its Christian theological school, a defender of the faith, and a counselor to the three successive bishops who were his close friends: Jacob, Babu and Vologeses. It is well known that Ephrem refused to be elevated to any Ecclesiastical office higher than that of deacon, despite pressures from the Church. After moving to Edessa, Ephrem continued to write, and even more prolifically than before. There is also a tradition that he established a Christian school in Edessa similar to the one he had headed in Nisibis, where his Biblical commentaries became standard textbooks. Ephrem is considered one of the great religious poets of the world, officially recognized as a “Doctor” of the Catholic Church, and considered by many scholars to be the greatest hymnodist in Christian history. So powerful is his religious poetry that the historian Sozomen and St. Jerome both remark with surprise how beautiful Ephrem’s writings are even in translation.

Hymn of Mar Ephrem

Accept, O Lord, the pleading of all,
which we offer to you in petition.
Hear, O God, your servants' voice,
and the groaning of those who praise you.
For you are our King, and in your great Name
we have hope and true confidence.
Grant that we may gain one mind,
without division, in the faith,
as we confess that, by your will
all things were fashioned out of nothing.
The Nature of your Being cannot be searched
by creatures, O hidden Being
who dwells in incomparable Light
which no one may approach.
Through your fashioning, O Lord, your great richness
was made known to the works of your hands.
For you are the Lord and you are the Maker,
who is mighty over all, and provides for all.
We earnestly desire the forgiveness of sins:
bestow it upon us, as you always do.
And grant that we may spiritually
apply medicine to our wounds.
We ask for mercies, O Lord of all:
supply your wealth to our poverty.
And to the wavering of those who stray
in the error and deceit of the enemy,
may your mercy be a guide for them,
that will tread the way of their consciences,
that they may know that it was in your providence
that our enslaved race has been freed.
Thus, with one perfect and innocent heart,
let us serve before you as you will,
and diligently accomplish at all times
that which is pleasing to your Divinity,
and with one accord life up praise
to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
who saved us through the headship that is from us,
and has not repaid us according to our ingratitude.
To him be glory from his adorers,
forever and ever, amen, amen.
 

(Hymn taken from: The Book of Before and After, 2009)