St Ephrem: He Taught Through Hymns

 Today we read about St Ephrem in the book In Caelo et in Terra. He lived during a time of two great problems: heresy and the plague. 

He fought against the heresies, especially Arianism, by teaching people the truth about God. Most people were illiterate at the time, so he taught them in a way they could understand and remember: through hymns. Just think of all the brain space in YOUR head committed to music lyrics! St Ephrem used that fact - that we tend to memorize lyrics and remember them decades later - to instruct the faithful in the orthodox teachings of the church.

He also served those suffering from the plague. Eventually he succumbed to the plague himself, and died in the 4th century. You can read more about him here.

What are the issues we face today? I mean, we DO have our own plague to deal with. How can you make a difference in someone's life today who is suffering from the effects of COVID?

God, thanks for the example of this hymn writer. St Ephrem, pray for us.