Ephrem (306-373, first Saturday of Great Lent)
The holy Mor Ephrem was the great saint poet of the Syriac-speaking churches. Since 1920 he is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as a church teacher.
Mor Ephrem was born in the early fourth century in Nsibin, a town on the Syrian border, northern Mesopotamia (Southeast Turkey).
He was ordained deacon in about 338 AD and was never ordained. He is trained by Mor Jacob Bishop of Nsibin that the Council of Nicaea had participated in 325 AD.
After the Persians Nsibin conquered in 363 AD, Mor Ephrem settled in Edessa (Urfa, Turkey) where he composed hundreds of hymns. His hymns are used to this day in the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch.
Mor Ephrem only written in Aramaic, the dialect Edesseense, his works have been translated into Armenian, Greek and later in Latin. Many of his works are in the form of prose, a poetic verse rhythm. He wrote many polemical work against Marcion, Bardaisan, Mani and the Arians. He also wrote many biblical commentaries. In his work he often uses typologies and symbolism.
Mor Ephrem died on 09 June 373 AD. His feast day is celebrated on the first Saturday of Lent.