Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Ephrem.

Ephrem received his baptism as a young boy in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, where he was raised and rose to fame as a teacher. Ephrem and many other Christians fled as refugees to Edessa after the Christian monarch had to turn over Nisibis to the Persians. He received credit for bringing enormous prominence to that location’s biblical school. Although a deacon, he chose not to become a priest. By pretending to be insane, Ephrem allegedly evaded presbyteral consecration.

Because of his extensive writing, his holiness becomes apparent in his writings. His works show profound insight and a thorough understanding of the Scriptures, even though he was not a man of great intellect. Ephrem exhibits a practical and empathic attitude alongside a deep devotion to the humanity of Jesus in his writing about the secrets of humanity’s redemption. According to legend, Dante was motivated by his poetic description of the Last Judgment.

Reading that he composed hymns denouncing the heretics of his time is startling. He would appropriate the tunes from well-known songs by heretical groups and use them to create lovely choirs representing orthodox doctrine. As a method of instructing the faithful, Ephrem was amongst the first to use songs in the Church’s public worship. His many hymns have given him the moniker “Harp of the Holy Spirit.”

Living in a little cave with a view of the city of Edessa, Ephrem liked a simple, ascetic existence. He passed away in the year 373.

source: franciscanmedia.org