c. AD 306 – 373

Ephrem the Syrian

The greatest Syriac writer, and evidence that early Christian theology was not only Greek and Latin.

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Location
Nisibis and Edessa, Syriac-speaking Mesopotamia
Role
Deacon, poet and Doctor of the Church
Major writings
  • Hymns on Faith; Hymns on the Nativity
  • Commentary on the Diatessaron
Teachings
  • Theology expressed through poetry and symbol rather than definition
  • Strong eucharistic and Marian imagery
Connection to apostolic Christianity
He represents a Semitic Christianity in close cultural continuity with the world of the New Testament.

Quotations with references

In your bread there is hidden the Spirit who is not consumed.

Ephrem, Hymns on Faith 10

Sources and References