Homily: June 9 2016 - St. Ephrem - Hymn to Our Savior, God and Man

St. Ephrem was a poet, teacher, orator, and defender of the faith born early in the 4^th century in Syria. 

He is also known as St. Ephrem the Deacon because he was ordained a deacon by St. Basil the Great, but never a priest.  In fact, the people wanted him to be a bishop, but he is said to have avoided episcopal consecration by pretending to be insane.

In the 4^th century, the Arian heresy denying the divinity of Christ was spreading throughout the world. One of the reasons Arianism was adopted by so many, was because this really catchy hymns were composed.  The tunes were memorable and the theology was false. 

To combat this, Ephrem wrote beautiful hymns, containing faithful doctrine, in order to catechize the people in amidst all the many errors of the day.  For this he was called “the harp of the Holy Spirit.”  In icons and religious art he is often depicted holding a hymn which he composed.  This is why the opening prayer referred to St. Ephrem as “exulted in singing God’s mysteries.” 

Only in 1920 did Pope Benedict XV declare Ephrem doctor of the universal Church.

Here are some lyrics written by Ephraim:

We confess one and the same individual as perfect God and perfect man. He is God the Word Which was flesh. If He was not man, who was laid in a manger? And if He is not God, whom did the angels who came down from heaven glorify? If He was not man, whom did John baptize? And if He is not God, to whom did the Father say: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased? If He was not man, who was invited to the marriage in Cana of Galilee? And if He is not God, who turned the water into wine? If he was not man, who slept in the ship? And if He is not God, who rebuked the waves and the sea? If He was not man, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if He is not God, who commanded him to come forth out of the grave four days after his death? If He is not God and man then, indeed, our salvation is false, and false are the pronouncements of the prophets.

May St. Ephrem help us to sing the true praises of Christ, free from error, free from sin, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Here is the whole hymn:

We confess one and the same individual as perfect God and perfect man. He is God the Word Which was flesh. For if He was not man, why was Mary chosen? And if He is not God, whom does Gabriel call Lord? If He was not man, who was laid in a manger? And if He is not God, whom did the angels who came down from heaven glorify? If He was not man, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if He is not God, in whose honor did the star appear? If He was not man, whom did Simeon hold in his arms? And if He is not God, to whom did Simeon say, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace? If He was not man, whom did Joseph take when he fled into Egypt? And if he is not God, who fulfilled the prophecy: Out of Egypt have I called my Son? If He was not man, whom did John baptize? And if He is not God, to whom did the Father say: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased? If He was not man, who hungered in the desert? And if He is not God, unto whom did the angels come and minister? If He was not man, who was invited to the marriage in Cana of Galilee? And if He is not God, who turned the water into wine? If He was not man, who took the loaves in the desert? And if He is not God, who fed the five thousand men and their women and children with five loaves and two fish? If he was not man, who slept in the ship? And if He is not God, who rebuked the waves and the sea? If He was not man, with whom did Simon the Pharisee sit at meat? And if He is not God, who forgave the sins of the harlot? If He was not man, who wore a man’s garment? And if He is not God, who healed the woman with the issue of blood when she touched His garment? If He was not man, who spat on the ground and made clay? And if He is not God, who gave sight to Our Savior, Both God and Man By Saint Ephraim the Syrian – 4 th Century the eyes of the blind man with the clay? If He was not man, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if He is not God, who commanded him to come forth out of the grave four days after his death? If He was not man, whom did the Jews arrest in the garden? And if He is not God, who cast them to the ground with the words: I am He? If He was not man, who was judged before Pilate? And if He is not God, who frightened Pilate’s wife in a dream? If He was not man, whose garments were stripped from Him and parted by the soldiers? And if He is not God, why was the sun darkened upon His crucifixion? If He was not man, who was crucified on the cross? And if He is not God, who shook the foundation of the earth? If He is not man, whose hands and feet were nailed to the cross? And if He is not God, how did it happen that the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened? If He was not man, who hung on the cross between the two thieves? And if He is not God, how could He say to the thief: Today thou shalt be with me in paradise? If He was not man, who cried out, and gave up the ghost? And if He is not God, whose cry caused many bodies of the saints which slept to arise? If He was not man, whom did the women see laid in the grave? And if He is not God, about whom did the angel say to them: He is arisen, He is not here? If He was not man, whom did Thomas touch when he put his hands into the prints of the nails? And if He is not God, who entered through the doors that were shut? If He was not man, who ate at the sea of Tiberias? And if He is not God, on whose orders were the nets filled with fish? If He was not man, whom did the apostles see carried up into heaven? And if He is not God, who ascended to the joyful cries of the angels, and to whom did the Father proclaim: sit at My right hand? If He is not God and man then, indeed, our salvation is false, and false are the pronouncements of the prophets.