Ephraem Syrus, St (c. 306-373)

Religious leader. He wrote in Syriac several theological treatises, epistles, addresses to monks, apophthegms, homilies on Scripture and Old Testament characters, and hymns. They were highly esteemed and most of them were translated into Latin and Greek. An English translation of some of his pieces was published by H Burgess in 1853. Roman Catholics count him among the doctors of the Church. His feast is on 9 June.

Ephr aem Syrus was born in Nisibis (modern-day Nusaybin, Iraq), where he spent the early years of his life in study, but after its surrender to the Persians by Jovian in 363 he moved to Edessa (modern-day Urfa, Turkey). Here he apparently lived as a hermit outside the city, teaching and writing. Ordained deacon, he refused any further promotion. During the famine in Edessa he urged the rich to deny themselves for the good of others.