A Course on St. Ephrem the Syrian

August 31, 2009

This Fall St. Nersess Seminary will offer a weekly course introducing the life and writings of St. Ephrem the Syrian, a 4th-century poet whose hymns, prayers and other sacred writings became part of the theological foundation of the Armenian Church. The course will be taught by one of the world's leading experts on St. Ephrem, Dr. Edward G. Mathews, Jr, Professor of Early Christian Languages and Literature at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.

The course will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7-9PM at the Seminary, beginning on September 9.

St. Ephrem the Syrian portrayed in 
a medieval Armenian manuscript

Professor Edward G. Mathews Jr.

Although St. Ephrem wrote only in Syriac, Armenians quickly became enthralled by the beauty and depth of his work. Several works of St. Ephrem were among the earliest writings to be translated into Armenian by St. Mesrob Mashdots and his collaborators in the early fifth century. Over the centuries, a number of St. Ephrem's precious writings were lost in their original Syriac, but survive thanks to ancient and meticulous Armenian translations.

Professor Edward G. Mathews Jr.

Professor Mathews will give a broad survey of St. Ephrem's writings, with particular emphasis on selected poetic and prose works, in translation, in order to convey an idea of the complexity of the individual and of the nature of his theology.

Professor Mathews has advanced degrees in Syriac and Armenian literature and theology, and has published a number of works concerning Ephrem and his contemporaries, including translations of several works from both Syriac and Armenian.

The course is open to the public. All men and women of faith, students of the Christian East, priests, deacons, choir members, and Church School teachers are encouraged to attend. Suggested donation for auditers is $150. For further information contact the Seminary by email or by phone: (914) 636-2003.