Saint Ephraim the Syrian and St Isaac of Nineveh
Categories: hymns, feast-days
Date: 27 January 2008 23:17:02
Let the Multitudes of monastics and cenobites
honour our divinely-shining pillars and protectors and intercessors,
divine Ephraim and Isaac who are truly of Christ.
And let us glorify them with hymns, while crying:
"Glory to Him Who has sanctified you;
glory to Him Who has made you wonderful;
glory to Him Who has glorified you both in heaven and on earth."
A double feast of two wonderful Eastern Saints today: Ss Ephraim and Issac. They are also two of my most beloved Saints: Ephraim for his glorious hymns so potent with theology and understanding, and Isaac for his wise sayings and writings, such as the following:
To bear a grudge and pray, means to sow seed on the sea and expect a harvest.
Be persecuted, rather than be a persecutor. Be crucified, rather than be a crucifier. Be treated unjustly, rather than treat anyone unjustly. Be oppressed, rather than zealous. Lay hold of goodness, rather than justice.
The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the Cross.
The only complete work of Saint Ephraim's I have read is the wonderful Hymns on Paradise, though I have read selections from other works. I do hope to build up my library of his works. St Ephraim's prayer of repentance, said especially during Lent, is a beautiful prayer and well-known to Orthodox Christians:
O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother,
for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
A blessed Feast Day to all!