Augustine Sokolovski
Saint Ephraim the Syrian (306-373) was a child of the ancient Antiochian Church, but lived and worked far from this once apostolic capital. He was raised in the faith by Saint James of Nisibis (+438), whom tradition rightly calls "Nicholas the Wonderworker" of the ancient Syrian Сhristianity.
Ephraim accompanied James to the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325), and then defended the Orthodox teaching on the Holy Trinity in Nisibis and Edessa. Tradition connects the name of Ephraim with the foundation of the famous school of theology in these ancient Christian missionary cities, from which preachers went to evangelize Persia.
Limiting himself greatly in everything and remaining in prayer and contemplation, Saint Ephraim wrote wonderful hymns of praise to God and the Lord Jesus. Desert Father, similar to the biblical prophets, Saint Ephraim was a deacon. Then, in the 4th century, this was a special teaching ministry of the Ancient Church. Ephraim preached, taught, prepared people for baptism. At the moment when, about a year before his righteous death, the city of Edessa was struck by a severe famine, Ephraim saved many lives from death.
Exactly three weeks will pass and Great Lent will begin. Then Saint Ephraim the Syrian will become our companion on the difficult but blessed path to Holy Easter. Every day, the Church, through the lips of the priest, will repeat the prayer of Saint Ephraim many times. The most important thing is that the words of this prayer do not become habitual for us, but each time awaken our memory of its author and the many great meanings he put into amazing, deep, and, at the same time, extremely simple words filled with genuine biblical meaning.
"O Lord and Master of my life!". Ephraim was born when the Great Persecution of Diocletian raged against Christians. Christians were executed for refusing to recognize the divinity of the emperor. They recognized God and His Son Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Master of their being. They firmly believed that all human being, until the last breath, is in His hands. These opening words of the prayer are a genuine martyr's confession of faith. During the days of Great Lent, we must repeat this Creed of the Martyrs with attention and humility together with Saint Ephraim.