Poet, theologian and hymn-writer of the Syrian church.
St. Ephrem the Syrian was born in Nisibis in Mesopotamia early in the fourth century and later settled in Edessa. A deacon who out of humility refused higher office, he became the greatest hymnographer of the Syriac church, called the Harp of the Holy Spirit, and his hymns and homilies taught the faith to generations.
A man of deep compunction, he wrote constantly of repentance, and the Lenten prayer that bears his name is offered throughout the Great Fast in every Orthodox church. He reposed in 373 and is commemorated on January 28.
Feast day
On the New Calendar, Ephrem the Syrian is commemorated on January 28. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on February 10 of the civil calendar.
Who celebrates a name day
People with these names keep their name day on this feast:
Also commemorated on January 28
James the Ascetic
Venerable, Ιάκωβος ο Ασκητής
Venerable James the Ascetic of Porphyreon, who repented of grave sin.

Isaac the Syrian
Hierarch, Ισαάκ ο Σύρος
St. Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Nineveh, teacher of the spiritual life.
Theodosios of Totma
Venerable, Θεοδόσιος της Τότμα
Venerable Theodosios of Totma, founder of the Spaso-Sumorin Monastery.
Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.