Prayer of Saint Ephrem ascend to the Lord Christians all over the world for over sixteen hundred years.He had compiled on the interpretation of Scripture and the works of the ascetic nature became a model of theological literature.There is hardly a believer, who would in the days of Lent did not read his famous prayer.But what do we know about the author of these lines?
Earthly life of St.Ephrem
One of the great teachers of the Church, St. Ephrem the Syrian Monk was born in the town of Nisibis in Mesopotamia at the beginning of the IV century.It so happened that the father of the future eminent Christian theologian was a pagan priest.During his son's commitment to Christ's teaching, he drove him out of the house.From the little information that came to us, it appears that in the early years the Rev. Ephraim differed irritability and violent temper.In general, his inclination was not exactly positive.
Once he even ended up in prison on charges of stealing sheep.How justified are these accusations, now it is difficult to judge, but we know that in this dark place had suddenly there was a deep inner fracture.At one point he was honored to hear the voice of God is addressed to him.It is not known what the Lord spoke, but since then the boy has completely changed.
Becoming a disciple of Bishop Jacob, later canonized as a saint, and now known under the name of St. Jacob of Nisibis, St. Ephraim he studied the Scriptures.Featuring outstanding abilities and zeal, he soon embarked on a preacher of the doctrine of Christ.Besides preaching, one of his duties was to teach children in a religious school.Within 14 years, the Reverend was in St. Jacob in obedience.
pastoral ministry of St.Ephrem
After the death of the teacher, his body betraying Christian burial, he retired from the world, he settled in the mountains, which led the ascetic lifestyle, indulging in fasting and prayer.Such a life he led until the year 363, after a long siege, Nisibis was not captured by the Persians.Since then the holy lodges on the mountain near Edessa, which teaches people and preaching Christianity.Venerable Ephraim the Syrian finished his earthly life in 373, shortly before his death by refusing from episcopal miter, offered to him by St. Basil the Great.
theological writings of St.Ephrem
Filled with true Christian humility, St Ephrem the Syrian, in his letters speaks of himself as a man not a scientist, but many of his contemporaries paid tribute to its widest erudition and knowledge.
He wrote a huge number of the gravest theological works.Among them is dominated by his commentaries on Scripture, translated during his lifetime into Greek and read a wide range of followers of the Christian faith.
Prayer of Saint Ephrem also translated into different languages, still heard in churches.According to the ancient historian Fotia, written by the Rev. owns more than 1,000 works.In addition, he owns a large number of poems written on subjects related to the teachings of the church.These poems, put on a musical basis, taken from folk songs, sung all over the country.
preacher and educator
broad education about St. Ephraim the Syrian evidence analysis of his works.They discovered not only the author's familiarity with the works of Christian authors, but with the works of Greek philosophers, with pagan mythology and, most importantly, with the basics of the new at the time of science - science.We know that speaking with sermons, he constantly emphasized the need for knowledge, which, in his words, "above wealth."Prayer of Saint Ephrem in addition to a deep spiritual and moral foundations, and possess a high poetic style.They accounted for a significant part of its artistic heritage.
Prayer of St.Ephrem for Lent
Of all the works of the Rev. most famous are drawn to them prayers.In them, with extraordinary brightness of his talent.Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem, which is reproduced on this page, perhaps the most famous of all he wrote.What caused a striking, mysterious effects of prayer, penetrating to the heart?First of all, the sincerity with which it is written.It comes from the soul, purified and full of holiness, and the mind is born, enlightened by divine grace.This small-sized prayer contains the inexhaustible wealth of thoughts and feelings.
Features Lenten prayer
Its characteristic feature is, first of all, that the Reverend Ephraim as a gift of God asks no earthly blessings, not help in solving everyday problems and even health and strength, and asked to clear it from the vicious beginningthat is embedded in every person.Requests to deliver from sinful motives were honored and fulfilled his Christian virtues.
Why that he asks God?Prayer of Saint Ephrem is a precept for the category of people who are used throughout to rely only on themselves.They hope to achieve the desired blindly, relying solely on the strength of his mind.Sometimes they set themselves really high and noble goals, striving for spiritual growth and moral improvement.But these people can not comprehend that there are so many things in the world that is not subject to human will and the forces and it is impossible without the help of God's grace.Such errors are often held in pre-Christian, pagan times.Nowadays they are, unfortunately, also relevant.
deliverance from the spirit of idleness and despondency
St. Ephraim the Syrian Prayer begins with the request for deliverance from "the spirit of idleness."Why start with this appeal to God?Probably because, in the famous words, "idleness - the mother of all evils."This truth can not be doubted.That idleness often brings in people sinful thoughts, and those, in turn, translated into deeds, leading to the death of the soul.
Then get rid of the "spirit of discouragement" ask of God Prayer of Saint Ephrem.Lent - a period marked by sadness and slёznym repentance of their sins.But this should in no way cause in penitent human sadness.Discouragement of church canons is a grave sin, because it is generated by the lack of faith in God's mercy and help.In addition, the consequence of depression is fatigue, not allowed to fight with the passions and harmful tendencies.
Freedom from the spirit and idle lyubonachaliya
Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian not leave without attention and a human vice, "spirit lyubonachaliya."This next request is addressed to the Almighty.Lyubonachalie means love to dominate, to rule others.This fatal passion ruined once the archangel Lucifer, the head of all the angels.Full of boundless thirst for power, he was cast down from heaven, and addressed to Satan.Similar examples in the Bible a lot.That same passion is at the heart of all heretics, willing and wanting to replace their true Christian teaching and to become the head of the Church.
Then we are talking about "the spirit of idle," this vice, inherent to so many people.Prayer of St.Ephrem asks the Lord to grant relief from it.Often, the word has great power.The ability by the way, as an expression of the thoughts and intents, man is like God.Word - that creator and destroyer.Often it is for many centuries is experiencing one who said it.Word - a great gift of God, and frivolous, irresponsible approach to it - a grave sin, get rid of that and prays Reverend.
about granting the spirit of chastity and humility
As we offer petitions for deliverance from evil passions, prayer St.Ephrem also asks for the gift of virtues.The first is the "spirit of a sound mind."Understand the need in the broadest sense - physical and spiritual chastity.Instituted the sacrament of marriage and thus blessed union of a man and a woman, the Church condemns corruption in all its manifestations.Even thoughts about him defile the soul.Conscious of human weakness, the monk is asking for help to God.
There is one important virtue of a petition which refers to God Prayer of Saint Ephrem.Lent - a time of repentance, but it is impossible without profound humility.It is the "spirit of humility" asks Reverend bestow.Under the humility to understand the unquestioning obedience to God's will.This is a very important point.Beatitudes begin with a reference to "the poor in spirit," that is humble, and he promised the kingdom of heaven.
about granting the spirit of patience and love
Prayer of St.Ephrem mentions among other virtues, and the "spirit of patience."He certainly will need for self-improvement and spiritual growth.Works of the Holy Fathers of the Church suggest that only great patience and they struggled to reach spiritual heights.
Next comes the request for the granting of the "spirit of love."The greatest example of love revealed to us by Jesus Christ.His entire earthly ministry and the cross flour are endless preaching love."Love one another!" - Was his commandment students.St. Paul in his Letter to the Corinthians emphasized that in all of our virtues without love we are nothing.
an awareness of their sins and unconvicted near
especially strong are the words that complete the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem.Text in the end it contains a request to send down the gift of seeing their own sins, and not to condemn our neighbor.It is, in truth, a great gift, and few people have them.Typically, we are strict with respect to only one.
mercilessly condemn their real or imaginary transgressions.And at the same time a very condescending attitude to their own misconduct.Appeal to the topic prayer gives a totally new spiritual and moral color and raises it above the general level of religious works of this kind.
Prayer of Saint Ephrem anger and weight loss
Name St. Ephraim the Syrian, because of his theological works, and prayers, of which he is widely known throughout the world.Honor him and the Russian Orthodox Church.Prayer of Saint Ephrem Church Slavonic sounds particularly poetic.She is devoted to one of the best poems of Pushkin.
addition he wrote Lenten prayer, which was discussed in this article, under the arches of the temples are often heard prayers converts directly to him.Among the most famous prayer of Ephraim Sirin anger.It asked the Lord for the gift of faith, love and devotion.Pray prayers of the saints to protect them from the wrath, malice, and every evil perpetrated in the world.
Another equally famous prayer - a prayer of Ephraim Sirin losing weight.In it, as in the previous prayer, asking the Reverend not leave them their help and pray to the Lord God to bestow his mercy and his assistance in all worldly affairs.
more than sixteen centuries separate us from the days when he lived and worked Reverend Ephraim the Syrian.In life, he was called "Sirsky prophet."It shows a deep respect for his contemporaries.And through the centuries continues to play the voice of the true Christian and humanist.
