Ephrem the Syrian

Ephrem the Syrian was a prominent Christian theologian, poet, and hymnographer of the fourth century. He was born in Nisibis, a Syriac-speaking town in the southeastern part of modern-day Turkey, around the year 306. He was baptized at the age of 18 and may have been ordained a deacon at the same time. He assisted the local bishop in preaching, teaching, and providing aid to the poor. He also composed numerous hymns, homilies, and commentaries on the Bible and the Christian faith, using rich imagery and symbolism to convey complex theological concepts. He is considered the most important poet and theologian of the Syriac Christian tradition, and his writings have influenced many later generations of Christians. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Communion. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. Ephrem fled from Nisibis to Edessa in 363, after the Persians conquered the town. He continued his ministry and writing activity in Edessa until his death in 373. He died of edema, a swelling caused by excess fluid in the body, after contracting a disease while caring for the victims of a famine. He was buried in Edessa, where his tomb became a pilgrimage site.