Ephrem the Syrian

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:

Efraim, Ephraim

Also commemorated on January 28

• Palladios of Antioch

  Venerable, Παλλάδιος

  Venerable Palladios the Hermit of Syria.

• James the Ascetic

  Venerable, Ιάκωβος ο Ασκητής

  Venerable James the Ascetic of Porphyreon, who repented of grave sin.

• Charis the Martyr

  Holy Woman, Χάρις

  Holy Martyr Charis.

  Name days: Charis, Chara, Hara, Charikleia

• 

  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.

• Ephraim of Novy Torg

  Venerable, Εφραίμ ο εκ Ρωσίας

  Venerable Ephraim the Wonderworker of Novy Torg.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.