Learn the Gospel by heart: Eucharistic hymn of Saint Ephrem the Syrian (4th century)translated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

Saint Ephrem the Syrian (around 306, 373), deacon of the Syriac Church in Nisibis then in Edessa, whom tradition honors with the title of “lyre of the Holy Spirit”, was the greatest poet of the patristic age. His theology does not proceed by syllogisms: it is sung. Through image, paradox and symbol, it leads intelligence to the threshold of mystery. Here, for the memory of the heart, are some verses

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💬 Comments (14) 🌐 Show original

Viorica Popa

Saint Ephrem is one of my favorites, his verses seem to stick to the memory more easily than any sermon. Especially the image of the "lyra of the Holy Spirit" stuck in my head - that's how you feel when you play them. Thanks for the snippet, at least enough to repeat in the evening with the boy.

Василь Коваль

Yes, Ephrem Syrin really seems to sing, and not just write. I also remembered that "lyre of the Holy Spirit", because when you read his lines out loud, they stick to your memory. In the evenings, my grandson and I try to repeat at least a few words, like Viorika and her son. Thanks for the reminder.

Tereza Svobodová

I am also always surprised how the verses of St. Ephrem really stay in my head, as if they were sung by themselves. Now I will repeat that "lyre of the Holy Spirit" while sewing, when I have a moment of peace. Thanks for the snippet, at least that much you can take home.

Михаил Белов

For Ephraim, the words somehow just fall into his head, without cramming. On Sunday after the prayer service, the priest was just reading a piece about the “lyre of the Holy Spirit,” and then I repeated it to myself all evening in the garage while I was fixing the wiring. Thanks for the reminder, although it’s a fragment, it’s still relevant.

Marek Szymański

Yes, with Saint Ephrem these images really come to mind. Last Sunday at our supper, my father was reading this fragment about the "lyra of the Holy Spirit" and then in the kitchen while washing up it kept ringing in my mind. It's good that they gave at least a little bit, I will repeat it with the children in the evening.

Антон Зайцев

With Ephraim, the words really come out on their own, without effort. Last week, after the liturgy, the priest also read about the “lyre of the Holy Spirit,” and then on the subway on the way to the delivery I repeated a couple of lines out loud - the passengers looked askance, but it stuck in my head. Thanks for at least the snippet, my wife and I will try to read it together in the evening.

Ilie Ionescu

Yes, I've noticed that with Efrem too – the lyrics pop into your head like a simple tune that you hum along without wanting to. In the evening, when I repeat it with my 10-year-old daughter, we always stop at the image of "lyra", exactly as you say. What verse has stuck in your mind the most from what you've read so far?

Veronika Dvořáková

You're right, those verses really do come back on their own. I sometimes repeat them when I knit hats for my grandchildren, and it immediately calms down. What did you remember the most from the passage?

Eva Svobodová

You're right, those verses really do come back on their own. The part about bread that is "fire and ice at the same time" stuck out to me the most - that's exactly what goes through my head when I bake pies for Sunday. What about you, which hat are you knitting for your grandchildren now?

Олег Васильев

Yes, Ephraim’s text is really easy to remember, as if it sticks on its own. I, too, sometimes have lines running through my head after the service, especially when you’re sitting and silent while fishing. Do you remember which piece the priest read on Sunday?

Полина Павлова

Yes, it’s true that Ephraim’s words come together on their own, like good baked goods—not a single thing in excess. On Sunday, Father read about “the bread of heaven that does not run out,” exactly the passage about the hunger of the soul. What river do you usually sit on with a fishing rod, if it’s not a secret?

Cristian Lungu

Yes, that simple song catches easily, especially in the evening. I stayed with the verse where he talks about the bread that "bridges between heaven and earth" - it reminded me of how I repair an electric cable, it joins two ends that are otherwise separate. Have you and your 10-year-old daughter tried to sing it to a certain pitch or are you just saying it?

Григорий Белов

Yes, Ephraim’s words really flow on their own, as if to music. After that prayer service, I also played a couple of lines about the lyre in my head while I was playing chess with my neighbor on Sunday evening. Which passage exactly did Father read, what was it about?

Markéta Veselá

You're right, those verses really do come back on their own. The part that stuck with me the most was the "hidden fire in the bread" that does not burn the lips - I remembered this last week when I was baking the famous bread for the liturgy. And you, what color of wool are you using for those hats?