THE VENERABLE EPHREM OF THE MONASTERY OF THE CAVES IN KIEV

January 28

From the Prologue

Ephrem died in 1096 A.D. He instituted the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas to Bari, Italy. This feast is celebrated on May 9.

HYMN OF PRAISE

SAINT EPHREM THE SYRIAN

In Ephrem, the heart burns

Out of love for Christ,

And Ephrem's tongue speaks of

The pure wisdom of the Gospel.

Ephrem, the honey-bearing bee,

Ephrem, the fruit-bearing rain!

With repentance, Ephrem breathes,

With tears, he proclaims repentance.

Ephrem writes: "Repent ye!

For God glorifies penitents!"

O wonderful leader and teacher,

By life and in books,

Ephrem, comforter to the sorrowful,

An awesome whip without cares,

Toward others, honey of mercy,

Toward himself, a sword of austerity.

Of Ephrem, the Church is proud,

The angels call him brother,

This even becomes Ephrem,

This ingratiating theologian,

The Church glorifies its Syrian,

The glorifier of God's Son.

Ephrem, the honey-bearing bee,

Ephrem, the fruit-bearing rain,

Intercessor, day and night,

Ephrem. the all-mighty monk!

Toward himself a sword of austerity,

Toward others, honey of mercy!

The Church glorifies its Syrian,

The glorifier of God's Son.