St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Ephrem the Syrian was a theologian who lived in the 300s. He lived in Syria for much of his life. He was well known as a writer of hymns and other theological works.
St. Ephrem the Syrian was named a Doctor of the Church. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy writer in many aspects of your life.
About St. Ephrem the Syrian
St. Ephrem the Syrian was born around the year 306 in the area that is now Turkey. His place of birth was part of the Roman Empire. There is some debate among historians over whether both of his parents were Christians or if his father was a pagan priest.
During Ephrem’s youth, he lived in a culture made up of Jews, pagans, and Early Christians. He grew up under the leadership of St. Jacob of Nisibis, who was bishop of the city. When Ephrem was a young man, he was baptized. Jacob soon appointed him as a teacher, and he became very well known. Before long, Ephrem was ordained as a deacon.
Ephrem began to compose hymns and Scriptural commentary. In many of his works, he calls himself a herdsman in relation to the bishop as shepherd and the people as the fold.
When Emperor Constantine I died in 337, Shapur II of Persia attacked northern Mesopotamia. Ephrem’s city was besieged three times from these attacks. After the first siege, Ephrem held that St. Jacob of Nisibis saved the city through his prayers.
When the Persians eventually gained control of the city, Ephrem fled to Edessa with many other Christians. While he was in Edessa, Ephrem brought wide recognition to a biblical school there.
Despite serving the Church as a deacon, Ephrem did not wish to be ordained as a priest. He also declined being made a bishop. Legend holds that he avoided this honor by pretending to be mad. He lived an austere life in a cave over Edessa.
Ephrem’s many writings show his deep knowledge of Scripture. He had a great devotion to the humanity of Jesus, and he often wrote about the mysteries of Redemption. It is believed that his poetic writing on the Last Judgment served as inspiration for Dante.
Many of the hymns Ephrem wrote were in response to heretics. Some heretical groups would sing songs of heresy, so Ephrem would use their melodies to write hymns containing the true teachings of the faith.
Emphrem was also one of the first people to make use of music in the Church’s public worship. His hymns helped serve to instruct the Christian people. Because of the many hymns he wrote, he came to be called the “Harp of the Holy Spirit.”
Ephrem continually defended the faith against heresy for the rest of his life. He died in 373, and he was named a Doctor of the Church.
St. Ephrem the Syrian’s Feast Day: June 9th
Why Pray the St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena?
St. Ephrem the Syrian is the patron saint of spiritual directors and spiritual leaders. You can pray the St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena if you are a spiritual director or spiritual leader. Or you can use this novena to seek St. Ephrem the Syrian’s intercession for a spiritual director or spiritual leader you know.
St. Ephrem the Syrian is also the patron saint of Syrian Aramaic people. You can pray the St. Ephrem Novena if you are a Syrian Aramaic person. Or you can pray the St. Ephrem Novena for a Syrian Aramaic person you know.
You can pray the St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena for any intention!
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena Prayers
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you grew up under the leadership of St. Jacob of Nisibis. He was the bishop of your city, and he helped lead you to holiness when you were a young man. He appointed you as a teacher and ordained you as a deacon.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all bishops may be holy leaders of their flock.
Pray for us, that we may always faithfully carry out all the duties of our vocation. Pray that we may grow in holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you were appointed as a teacher by St. Jacob of Nisibis. As a teacher, you became very well known. You did a lot of holy work for God and His Church by teaching others.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all teachers may form their pupils in virtue.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to help lead souls to God. Pray that we may always be eager to carry out God’s will in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you brought wide recognition to the biblical school in Edessa through your teaching there. In your many theological writings, your deep knowledge of Scripture is very clear.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow to a deeper love of God’s word.
Pray for us, that we may always make use of all the helps God gives us for our salvation. Pray that we may strive to grow closer to God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you served the Church as a teacher and a deacon for many years. You chose to live humbly and avoided high honors. You eventually chose to live an austere life in a cave.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in a holy spirit of penance.
Pray for us, that we may advance in virtue at every opportunity God gives us. Pray that we may do all we can to grow in holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you had a great devotion to the humanity of Jesus. You devoted many years of your life to teaching and writing religious works. You were very close to Our Lord during your holy life.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow to a closer relationship with Jesus.
Pray for us, that we may always put our relationship with God above all else in our lives. Pray that we may truly strive to live saintly lives each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you lived in a time of great turmoil within the Church. Many people were refusing to accept the Church’s true teachings. You devoted yourself to defending the true teachings of the Church against heresies.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the true teachings of the Church may always be defended.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to help spread the Gospel. Pray that we may always submit ourselves fully to the teachings of the Church.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you devoted yourself to defending the true teachings of the Church in your many writings. As heresies began to gain momentum in the world, you did all you could to help bring souls back to the Church.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may grant the grace of conversion to all who follow heretical teachings.
Pray for us, that we may offer to God all that we do each day of our lives. Pray that we may help build up His Church at every opportunity He gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Ephrem the Syrian as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Ephrem, you served the Church as a teacher and a deacon for many years. You wrote many important hymns and theological works. You defended the teachings of the Church against heresy.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church may be strong and her members holy.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God and His Church in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may do all we can to advance in virtue and holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Ephrem the Syrian, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.