The Complete Works of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, Volume 2

...however, [this beauty] offers itself freely to any readers, whether as something lovely for their delight or useful for their progress—provided one weighs the benefit that flows from these works into the whole Church. This utility serves to turn the minds of the Faithful toward piety, provides light for understanding the mysteries of the Divine Scriptures, and brings dignity and honor to the entire Christian community. The Prophet Likely referring to King David in Psalm 45:13-14. saw the Church, the Bride of Christ, clothed in many colors, and these ornaments indeed make up the features that distinguish the people of God from the multitude of outside nations, adorning them magnificently as if in a garment of many hues. But there is also another beauty, which arises from the accompanying retinue of this Bride, displayed by the wondrous diversity of many nations coalescing into this one body. Indeed, the holy Doctors of the Church seem to stand out like pearls, distinguished by their great size and color. For the love of the religion they professed did not deceive these men—men deeply versed in both sacred and secular history—who, having read the annals of all nations and times and discussed the matter with the strictest scrutiny, declared that no sect has ever existed, nor exists today, to which writers equal to ours in integrity or erudition have flocked from every nation. So great is their quality that they have struck even their adversaries with veneration and admiration. Porphyry A 3rd-century Neoplatonist philosopher and critic of Christianity. stands as a witness for the ancient Church, and Calvin John Calvin, the Protestant Reformer. for the present; the latter praises Bernard of Clairvaux and calls him "Saint" with a full heart, while the former

prefers Origen Adamantius An early Christian scholar and theologian (c. 184–253 AD). to all the philosophers of his own time. Many have professed, and still profess, the worship of idols or the sect of Muhammad; however, idolatry was not the same everywhere nor was it constant, since every people had and worshipped their own specific gods. Nor does the Law of Muhammad extend beyond the borders of barbarian nations. Both systems have been criticized and rejected in many respects by their own professors; the more acute philosophers exploded the idea of a plurality of gods, and the more learned Muslims were ashamed to aspire to the "happiness" promised by their Master A reference to the physical descriptions of paradise in Islamic tradition, which some Christian polemicists of the 18th century viewed as overly sensual..

But now, while the Church already numbered many Greeks and Latins in this rank, it had no outsider Meaning a scholar from the Eastern/Syriac tradition not yet fully integrated into Western study.. Now comes Blessed Ephrem Saint Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306–373 AD), a prominent Syriac deacon, hymnographer, and theologian., who like the Sun is able to create the day by his light alone. For just as the Sun contains the brilliance of all other stars within its single orb, so does Ephrem embrace the entire learning of the Syrian scholars within his writings. There are many of these scholars, as shown by the long list unrolled for us by Hebed-Jesu Also known as Abdisho bar Berika (d. 1318), the Metropolitan of Soba/Nisibis, who wrote a famous catalog of Syriac authors., the Metropolitan of Soba. The doctrine of the Catholic Church is divided into two parts: one proposes the Dogmas of the Divine Faith, while the other establishes morals. It is admitted by everyone that the part which forms the Christian person in piety was treated by the Blessed Ephrem with great zeal and the greatest utility. We have here the excellent testimony of Saint Gregory of Nyssa: “In matters that are impossible,” he says, “they commonly use the proverb: 'You are preaching mercy to a stone'; but we have experienced that this is indeed possible—"