Ephrem the Syrian

Also: Ephraem Syrus, Ephraim the Syrian, Aphrem

Born probably between 303 and 309, probably in Nisibis (now Nusaybin, Turkey). Died in 373, in Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey).

A deacon and teacher at Nisibis and then at Edessa. He taught the faith in hymns, and is the greatest poet of the Syriac church.

Wrote in Syriac. A major author.

Places lived

306 to 363Nisibis (now Nusaybin, Turkey)deacon and teacheryears probable
363 to 373Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey)deacon and teacher

Works

10 works, in the order they were written. 7 works can be read here.

Sermons on Faithbefore 363 · perhaps in Nisibis (now Nusaybin, Turkey) · homilyVerse homilies against those who pry into the nature of God; the English gives three of them.25,489 words
Hymns on Paradisec. 340 to 363 · perhaps in Nisibis (now Nusaybin, Turkey) · hymnFifteen hymns that picture Paradise as a mountain.not yet on the site
Nisibene Hymnsc. 350 to 370 · probably in Nisibis (now Nusaybin, Turkey) · hymnHymns on the sieges of Nisibis, its bishops, and death and resurrection.35,991 words
Hymns on the Nativityc. 350 to 373 · place not known · hymnHymns for the feast of the birth of Christ.41,027 words
Commentary on the Diatessaronc. 360 to 373 · perhaps in Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey) · commentaryA commentary on Tatian's single Gospel.not yet on the site
Homily on Our Lordc. 360 to 373 · place not known · homilyA prose sermon on the life and saving work of Christ.26,603 words
Hymns on Faithc. 360 to 373 · probably in Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey) · hymnEighty-seven hymns against those who pry into the nature of God.140,391 words
Hymns on the Epiphanyc. 360 to 373 · place not known · hymnHymns for the feast of the baptism of Christ.13,741 words
Commentary on Genesisc. 363 to 373 · perhaps in Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey) · commentaryA plain commentary on the first book of the Bible.not yet on the site
Prose Refutations of Mani, Marcion and Bardaisanc. 363 to 373 · probably in Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey) · treatiseProse works against three teachers that Ephrem saw as the chief dangers at Edessa.117,902 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Scholars say about 306. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Ephraem Syrus'.
Place of birth probable: Ephrem, Hymns on Nisibis; the Syriac Life (in or near Nisibis)
Died sure: Chronicle of Edessa, entry 30 (9 June 373)
Place of death sure: Chronicle of Edessa; Jerome, On Illustrious Men 115
Nisibis, years probable: Ephrem, Hymns on Nisibis 13 to 21; Jerome, On Illustrious Men 115
Nisibis, place sure: Ephrem, Hymns on Nisibis 13 to 21; Jerome, On Illustrious Men 115
Edessa, years sure: Chronicle of Edessa; Ephrem, Hymns against Julian (Rome gave Nisibis to Persia in 363 and the Christians left)
Edessa, place sure: Chronicle of Edessa; Ephrem, Hymns against Julian (Rome gave Nisibis to Persia in 363 and the Christians left)