"Scripture brought me to the gate of Paradise, and the mind stood in wonder as it entered." -Ephrem of Syria

Feast Day: June 9

Patron of:

• spiritual directors
• spiritual leaders

Thought to have been the son of a pagan priest, Ephrem was brought to the faith by Saint James of Nisibis, and baptized at age 18. A deacon and a preacher, he had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In A.D. 363, Nisibis was ceded to Persia. This began a great persecution of Christians. Eprem led an exodus of the faithful 120 miles to Edessa. He wrote homilies, hymns and poetry and was instrumental in introducing hymns to the liturgy. Ephrem was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1920