Saint Ephraem (Syrus)

St Ephrem the Syrian's cycle of fifteen hymns on paradise offers a fine example of Christian poetry, in which the author weaves a profound theological synthesis around a particular Biblical narrative. Centered on Genesis 2 and 3, he expresses his awareness of the sacramental character of the created world, and of the potential of everything in the created world to act as a witness and pointer to the creator. God's two witnesses, says Ephrem, are: 'Nature, through man's use of it, [and] Scripture, through his reading it." In his writing, Ephrem posits an inherent link between the material and spiritual worlds. St Ephrem's mode of theological discussion is essentially Biblical and Semitic in character. He uses types and symbols to express connections or relationships to 'reveal' something that is otherwise 'hidden,' particularly expressing meanings between the Old Testament and the New, between this world and the heavenly, between the New Testament and the sacraments, and between the sacraments and the eschaton. His theology is not tied to a particular cultural or philosophical background, but operates by means of imagery and symbolism basic to all human experience.

Hymns on Paradise

Selected Works of S. Ephrem the Syrian

Sancti Ephraem Syri hymni et sermones

Claudio Mamertino (hijo)

Jean Chrysostome ((saint ;)

This collection makes available in English for the first time the panegyric of Claudius Mamertinus (Panegyrici Latini XI/3), a substantial part of the treatise of John Chrysostom on St. Babylas and against Julian (de S. Babyla c. Julianum et gentiles XIV-XIX), and Emphrem Syrus' Hymns Against Julian.

Panegyric and Polemic

The Emperor Julian

Translated Out of the Original Syriac, with Notes and Indices

Select Works of S. Ephrem the Syrian

sugli azzimi, sulla crocifissione, sulla risurrezione

Inni pasquali

Ephrem is known for a theology that relies heavily on symbol and for a keen awareness of Jewish exegetical traditions. Yet he is also our earliest source for the reception of Nicaea among Syriac-speaking Christians. It is in his eighty-seven Hymns on Faith - the longest extant piece of early Syriac literature - that he develops his arguments against subordinationist christologies most fully. These hymns, most likely delivered orally and compiled after the author's death, were composed in Nisibis and Edessa between the 350s ans 373. They reveal an author conversant with Christological debates further to the west, but responding in a uniquely Syriac idiom. As such, they form an essential source for reconstructing the development of pro-Nicene thought in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Hymns on Faith

Sebastian P. Brock

Syrus Ephraem

Ephrem the Syrian

Ephrem the Syrian is the most important poet and theologian of the Syriac Christian tradition. His numerous hymns, homilies, and commentaries were highly influential for later generations, and his poetry continues to be broadly used in the liturgies of Syrian Christian churches. This new translation of twenty poems, the only edition of Ephrem that features a text in vocalized serto script with a facing translation, offers a broad and varied introduction to Ephrem's work. Arranged according to his concept of salvation history, this book will allow readers to further explore his poetry in both its original language and in a contemporary English translation.

Select Poems

Saint Ephraem (Syrus)

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