Feast of Saint Ephrem – June 9

On June 9, the Catholic Church remembers Ephrem, born in 306 in Nisbis (today in Turkey) and died in Edessa in 373. He was ordained a deacon and, directed at first by his teacher, Jacob of Nisbis, first bishop of the city, he began an extensive teaching ministry that included prolific writing of Biblical commentaries, homilies, poetry and hymns. He engaged in some of the more polemical activities of the Church too, including vigorous debates with Jewish exegesis and theology.

Saint Ephrem is much venerated in the Syriac language Churches that are spread throughout the Middle East and in India too.

Saint Ephrem's Hymn of Light in Syriac (Maronite tradition)

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