Saint Ephrem the Syrian

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are everywhere and fill all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times).

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.

Lord have mercy (three times), Glory…, both now…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Through the prayers of the Most Holy Mother of God, of our Holy Fathers and of all the saints, Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of God, have mercy on us! Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for, being at a loss for any defense, we offer this prayer to You as our Master, we Your sinful servants, have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us, for in You we have hoped. Be not very angry with us, neither remember our iniquities. But look down now as a compassionate God and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we are Your people; we are all the work of Your hands, and we call upon Your name.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Open to us the door of compassion, O blessed Mother of God, so that we who hope in you may not perish, but by you may be delivered from adversities, for you are the salvation of the Christian race.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. And He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Lord have mercy (three times), Glory…, both now…

Come, let us worship our King, God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King, God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God (with 3 bows).

Psalm 50 of David

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight, that You may be justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, You have loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Your wisdom You have made clear to me. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; You shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. You shall make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and establish me with a governing spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with whole burnt offerings You will not be pleased. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings; then they shall offer bulls upon Your altar.

Troparion of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, Tone 8:

The grace that springs from your mouth, O venerable one, has filled the Church with the waters of life and poured forth rivers of piety upon the world, showering us with the water of repentance. Thus, teaching us by your words, father Ephrem, you have enlightened our path to Christ. Therefore we cry to you: pray to our God to save our souls!

Kontakion 1, Tone 2

Foreseeing the hour of judgment, you wept bitterly, saint father Ephrem, as a lover of stillness; and you were a skillful teacher by venerable deeds. Therefore, O blessed one, you who raise the slothful to repentance, with love we sing to you: Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Oikos 1

You were a child and saw in a dream a fruitful vine coming forth from your mouth, and it grew and filled the whole earth, and all the birds of the air came and took shelter in it. The more clusters they gathered, the more the fruit of the vine multiplied. We do not know how to praise you worthily, father, but do you receive our song:

• Rejoice, for you were planted from the land of Nisibis;
• Rejoice, most luminous sun of the Syrians;
• Rejoice, for from childhood you fled from soul-harming speech;
• Rejoice, for from your lips no evil word came forth;
• Rejoice, most honored one, for you had good deeds and diligence in labors as companions;
• Rejoice, knower of the divine Scriptures;
• Rejoice, philosopher of divine things;
• Rejoice, divine cup of humility;
• Rejoice, meadow adorned with many kinds of flowers;
• Rejoice, unfailing spring of tears;
• Rejoice, unquenchable fire of humility;
• Rejoice, friend of good deeds;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 2

Fleeing worldly clamor, O saint, you despised the soul-harming speech of those of your age and seeking the stillness of the desert, you devoted yourself to the reading of the Holy Scriptures, and together with the prophet David you said: How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey! Such praise you gave to God, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

From your youth you showed yourself as a vine with hundredfold fruit, and your teachings rose to a great height, feasting abundantly the souls of the faithful, O divine Ephrem, therefore we joyfully sing:

• Rejoice, for you showed yourself an imitator of the holy Bishop James;
• Rejoice, for in Nisibis he baptized you and from him you learned;
• Rejoice, servant of the Church of the Edessenes;
• Rejoice, you who are meek and humble of heart;
• Rejoice, for you were called the theologian of weeping;
• Rejoice, lyre of the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, highly fruitful vine of God;
• Rejoice, flower of good fragrance;
• Rejoice, vessel of good deeds;
• Rejoice, good and faithful steward of the gift of God;
• Rejoice, skilled worker in deed and in word;
• Rejoice, you who are truly zealous and an imitator of the first disciples;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 3

Leaving the homeland where you were born, father, you received the command to venerate the holy relics and the urging to meet a God-bearing elder, from whom you would learn what is profitable for the soul, and therefore you sang to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

The devil desiring to hunt your virginal soul, tempted you through the words of the harlot who wished to draw you to sin, but you, contemplator of God, knowing the diabolical wiles, were a teacher to her on the path of salvation. Therefore we, according to your worthiness, bring you praises:

• Rejoice, for in the city of Edessa you sought a model of living;
• Rejoice, for you thanked the woman for the usefulness of her words;
• Rejoice, for you glorified the incomprehensible power of God;
• Rejoice, for you won the soul of the harlot;
• Rejoice, by whom Satan was put to shame;
• Rejoice, victor over his plots;
• Rejoice, guide of the youth;
• Rejoice, you who raise the slothful to repentance;
• Rejoice, for you lead by the hand those who repent;
• Rejoice, another Euphrates pouring forth wise dogmas;
• Rejoice, beautifully adorning paradise;
• Rejoice, luminous pillar of monasticism;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 4

Being a lover of stillness, you devoted yourself to fasting, vigils, and sleeping on the ground, and you despised all worldly things, desiring eternal glory every day, singing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

You showed yourself as another sun, bearer of light, sending forth rays of God-wisened teachings to the ends of the earth. Therefore we, the unworthy, sing to you with humility:

• Rejoice, for you followed the paths of the Forerunner;
• Rejoice, for through fasting and prayer you made yourself a dwelling of the Trinity;
• Rejoice, support of hermits;
• Rejoice, father of the sons of the desert;
• Rejoice, for through weeping you again acquired your happiness;
• Rejoice, for you received the gift of tears;
• Rejoice, you who multiplied the disciples of Christ;
• Rejoice, supporter of all the despairing;
• Rejoice, eloquent mouth;
• Rejoice, guide of monks;
• Rejoice, for you loved the heavenly treasure, living on earth like an angel;
• Rejoice, spiritual Euphrates of the Church;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 5

Desiring to receive the crown from the heavenly Bridegroom, you forsook all things like the Apostles, struggling by day with hunger and by night with sleep; for all these, Christ the Lord rewarded you with the gift of foresight and revealed to you the mystery of things to come. All with one voice we cry to Him who enlightened you: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

When you were not engaged in teaching the Christians to strengthen the true faith against pagans and heretics, you offered yourself with humility in the service of all, like a true deacon, akin to Christ, who made Himself our servant. Fittingly, with love and faith, we sing to you thus:

• Rejoice, for you were wounded by the love of the Almighty;
• Rejoice, chosen one of God;
• Rejoice, teacher of divine things;
• Rejoice, for your life was without blemish;
• Rejoice, one worthy of praise;
• Rejoice, for you showed yourself, most honored one, a help even in struggles with enemies;
• Rejoice, unquenchable torch that illumines the darkness of ignorance;
• Rejoice, for your tears dried up the abyss of lusts;
• Rejoice, for your teachings dried up the springs of heresies;
• Rejoice, for you gave no sleep to your eyes;
• Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, you who are great in word and deep in humility;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 6

You, the heir of Paradise and luminous offspring of Syria, Venerable Ephrem, great in word and deep in humility, we the faithful praise. For truly striving with much zeal for Christ, you became a paradise that flourishes and never fades, therefore the Church with one voice sings: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

My soul troubled by the storm of thoughts approaches the spring of your tears, praying you to cleanse it with your divine gift, which made its dwelling in you. Therefore, with a contrite and humble heart I sing to you with trembling:

• Rejoice, flower of the desert with good fragrance;
• Rejoice, unfailing spring of teachings;
• Rejoice, treasure of wisdom;
• Rejoice, joy of the faithful;
• Rejoice, guide in the revelations of God;
• Rejoice, defender of the true faith;
• Rejoice, my guide on the path of salvation;
• Rejoice, giver of light;
• Rejoice, for you remained undisturbed by the wiles of the enemy;
• Rejoice, for you had steadfast faith as your foundation;
• Rejoice, knower of the mysteries of God;
• Rejoice, you who raise us to heaven through your prayers;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 7

The Lord, seeing the depth of your humility, gave you a word with much power, by which the heretics were put to shame. Therefore we utter the angelic song, offered to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Humbling yourself before men and God, just like saint John Chrysostom, who lived at the same time as you, in the golden age of Christianity, you did not receive, O saint, the gift of priesthood. But the Knower of hearts, God, granted you here, on earth, the friendship of great saints:

• Rejoice, friend of the great Basil, the Cappadocian;
• Rejoice, for you received from him the gift of the diaconate;
• Rejoice, for through his prayers, you spoke Greek;
• Rejoice, for although you did not know it, the grace of the Holy Spirit overshadowed you and thus you spoke;
• Rejoice, most wise man among the Syrians;
• Rejoice, you who are longsuffering;
• Rejoice, you who had love for the Mother of God;
• Rejoice, for through hymns and psalms you glorified her;
• Rejoice, you who theologized in verses;
• Rejoice, teacher of the Church of Christ;
• Rejoice, for you adorned the Catholic Church with your deeds;
• Rejoice, most luminous morning star of Orthodoxy;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 8

You who showed yourself as a most luminous Sun of the Church, show us, through your intercessions, luminous at the fearsome judgment of Christ. You who were the unfailing spring of tears, soften our hearts hardened by the storm of passions. You who were the divine fire of humility, kindle in us the love for God and neighbor, that together with you we may sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

In your earthly life you fulfilled in all things the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, father Ephrem, laying down your life for your fellow men, teaching and feeding every man who came to you, and we, with great love, speak thus:

• Rejoice, chosen one among the venerables;
• Rejoice, sweetness of monks;
• Rejoice, consolation of the despairing;
• Rejoice, for you dedicated your whole life to Christ;
• Rejoice, for you raised your mind to heavenly things;
• Rejoice, for you showed yourself a ceaseless man of prayer;
• Rejoice, haven for those who are in the storm;
• Rejoice, lover and servant of the poor;
• Rejoice, you who are poor in worldly things, but rich in spiritual ones;
• Rejoice, for you aspired to the divine treasuries;
• Rejoice, strengthening of monks and laymen;
• Rejoice, joy of the venerables and radiance of the hermits;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 9

Being full of the Holy Spirit and unable to give voice to the multitude of revelations that came from the Spirit, you prayed: Lord, stop the waves of Your grace! But we pray you, Venerable Father Ephrem, do not overlook our prayers, but make us worthy to sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

Mind, heart, and will reflected the will of the Spirit, which you poured out upon this world through the hymns you sang, the verses you wrote, the teachings you spoke, and the works of your hands, which spoke. Being an example for us, we sing to you: Alleluia!

• Rejoice, God-bearer;
• Rejoice, teacher of repentance;
• Rejoice, lover of spiritual life;
• Rejoice, first hymnographer of the Church;
• Rejoice, for you made theology out of poetry;
• Rejoice, for you sang with great love the true faith;
• Rejoice, support of the poor;
• Rejoice, skilled worker of the Lord's commandments;
• Rejoice, pillar of the Orthodox Church;
• Rejoice, most skilled writer of the Syrians;
• Rejoice, great teacher of divine things;
• Rejoice, fervent zealot of the desert;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 10

Knowing beforehand the hour of judgment, you wept bitterly, father Ephrem, becoming a lover of stillness and a skilled teacher of divine mysteries, speaking everywhere about the judgment and the second coming of Christ. Deign us also, therefore, to sing together with you to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

Although you despised praise all your life, we cannot hide what the Master Himself commanded us. We cannot hide under the bushel of silence your most wonderful life. Therefore we praise you, according to our ability, thus:

• Rejoice, for you changed the lives of many for the better;
• Rejoice, our much-desired joy;
• Rejoice, for we always find relief through your prayers;
• Rejoice, you who bend down to the weeping of our heart;
• Rejoice, victor in the struggles with demons;
• Rejoice, lover of purity;
• Rejoice, haven of the despairing;
• Rejoice, for you delighted in prayer;
• Rejoice, for you showed yourself a great luminary;
• Rejoice, awakening of the slothful;
• Rejoice, divine fire that makes the souls of the faithful shine;
• Rejoice, for you endured all things for Christ;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 11

Despising the costly garment of the one who desired to wrap your body after death, you were sorely grieved that your command was disregarded, and that man, being wounded by the devil, lamented beside your bed. Marveling at this we sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

Never did you acquire any wealth on earth, making yourself obedient to the Good King, who in the Gospels of His disciples, commands: Acquire nothing on earth! Therefore you had no thing with a passion of this kind. Therefore we too, beloved one, speak thus:

• Rejoice, for in tears and sighs you spent your life;
• Rejoice, for you always fled worldly clamor;
• Rejoice, blessed father, for you despised praise;
• Rejoice, for your writings are full of repentance;
• Rejoice, for you always had your face wet with tears;
• Rejoice, father Ephrem, for you were terrified by the judgment of God;
• Rejoice, blessed soul, adorned with perfect deeds;
• Rejoice, prophet of the Syrians;
• Rejoice, precious ornament of Orthodoxy;
• Rejoice, sword against the heretics;
• Rejoice, our intercessor, to the Lord God;
• Rejoice, beloved one, who through your tears bring Christ to us;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 12

When you reached the end of your saving labors, Holy Father Ephrem, you entrusted your soul into the hands of Christ, you passed to the heavenly mansions, where you stand together with all the friends of God, the saints, together with whom you forever sing to God praise: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

Knowing the end of this fleeting life, you gave a fatherly command to those present, not to be buried with great pomp, but simply, in the cemetery of the poor, and instead of flowers and fragrances to give you their prayers. To you, who pleased God, we sing with humility:

• Rejoice, you who discerned the mysteries of the second coming of Christ;
• Rejoice, for you knew beforehand the hour of judgment;
• Rejoice, for you never had a purse, nor a staff, nor a scrip, nor silver, nor gold, nor acquired any wealth on earth;
• Rejoice, for you commanded to be buried simply, near the poor;
• Rejoice, for you did not covet the costly garment;
• Rejoice, for you rebuked the one who disparaged the fatherly command;
• Rejoice, venerable one, for taking pity, you healed the demon-possessed man;
• Rejoice, another heaven on earth with many stars;
• Rejoice, lover of spiritual life;
• Rejoice, spring that flows, with many kinds of waters;
• Rejoice, for you beautified theological thought;
• Rejoice, paradise that forever flourishes and never fades;
• Rejoice, Venerable Father Ephrem, contemplator of God!

Kontakion 13

O most wonderful father Ephrem, who will be able to truly tell your struggles? With what words of praise shall we honor you, who became a house of the Holy Trinity? Our words are too poor, so receive our humble song, that together with you, we may sing to God: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times).

Then Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are said again

Prayer to Saint Ephrem the Syrian:

Most Good Lord, we thank You that You always care for us! You cause the sun to rise on the good and on the evil and make the rain fall on the just and on the unjust, but the light of Your eternity and the dew of Your Most Holy Spirit always descend upon us, through Your chosen Saints: the disciples of all ages, who ever pray for us. Receive, therefore, also the prayers of our holy father, Ephrem the Syrian, who in his earthly life fulfilled Your will in all things and thus gained a place in Your house, together with the saints who from the beginning have been well-pleasing to You! Deign, O Most Good One, that we too, who honor this Your great saint, through our prayer and deeds, may honor together with him, in Your kingdom, Your most honored and greatly majestic name: of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Amen!