Ephrem the Syrian is the most important poet and theologian of the Syriac Christian tradition. His numerous hymns, homilies, and commentaries were highly influential for later generations, and his poetry continues to be broadly used in the liturgies of Syrian Christian churches. This new translation of twenty poems, the only edition of Ephrem that features a text in vocalized serto script with a facing translation, offers a broad and varied introduction to Ephrem's work. Arranged according to his concept of salvation history, this book will allow readers to further explore his poetry in both its original language and in a contemporary English translation.
Sebastian P. Brockwas, until his retirement in 2003, a reader in Syriac studies at the University of Oxford. He is the author of numerous books, includingThe Bible in Syriac TraditionandAn Outline of Syriac Literature.
George A. Kirazis the founder and director of Beth Mardutho: The Syriac Institute and president of Gorgias Press. He is the author of several books, includingLexical Tools to the Syriac New Testament.
Abbreviations
General Introduction
Text 1: On Reading the Paradise Narrative (Par. 5)
Text 2: On Human Language about God (Fid. 31)
Text 3: The Symbols Depicted by Noah in the Ark (Fid. 49)
Text 4: The Paradox of Mary's Birthgiving (Nat. 11)
Text 5: Mary's Invitation to Everyone (Nat. 17)
Text 6: Mary and Eve as the World's Tow Eyes (Eccl. 37)
Text 7: Christ as Light in Mary and in the Jordan (Eccl. 36)
Text 8: The Paradoxes of the Incarnation (Res. 1)
Text 9: On the Fall (Ieiun. 3)
Text 10: Eyes that are Blind and Eyes that are Opened (Ieiun. 6)
Text 11: The Two Lambs Compared (Azym. 3)
Text 12: Christl#2