Our Venerable Father Ephraim the Syrian: Life, Canon, and Selected Writings

This book, which includes Saint Ephraim's life, canon (and other prayers), and selected writings, is offered to the faithful to aid in a deeper understanding and prayerful veneration of the saint whose words of compunction ring out throughout the world during the Lenten Season:

O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not.

But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see my failings and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.

A sticheron (hymn) to Saint Ephraim found in this book:

Thou didst flourish like the palm tree described by David, O venerable father Ephraim, and didst cut off the tongues of the blasphemous as with a sword. Thou didst dry up the depths of the passions with abstinence and, taking up the Cross as a weapon, wast shown to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Unceasingly entreat Christ in behalf of us who ever celebrate thine honored memory with faith.

Excerpt from the Saint's Life:

The venerable Ephraim received from God the gift of wisdom: from his lips grace flowed like a river of sweetness, watering with compunction the souls of all who listened to his instructions. This was evident very early in his life. When he was still a child, his parents had the following dream concerning him: a grapevine arose from the tongue of their son and, increasing in stature, filled the whole world with its branches and fruit. The birds of the heavens flocked together and ate the grapes, yet however many they consumed, the quantity of grapes increased accordingly.

Fiery of temperament, the young Ephraim did not pass his youth without encountering several obstacles. As he himself relates, he was short of temper: “I would become involved in quarrels over petty matters, behave recklessly, involve myself in wicked schemes and prodigal thoughts… My youth would almost have convinced me that what happens with us in this life transpires by chance; but the providence of God brought hot-blooded youth to its senses.”

Paperbound, 32 pages, 5x8"