Courses

Syriac Christianity was essential to developing Christian theology and spirituality in the ancient church, where one can read about many important figures and influential writers. Among them, St. Ephrem, the harp of the Spirit, was a teacher, poet, theologian, and defender of faith against heretics in the fourth century. He was among the most fruitful and productive of the Syriac writers. He wrote in Syriac, a dialect of the Aramaic language. He used metrical poetry to express theology; he interpreted it through numerous symbols rendered by the charged Syriac term ܐ̱ ܪ ܳ ͕ܙܳ rōzo, which originates in the Book of Daniel 2:18–19. This course will discuss St. Ephrem’s works and read, discuss and analyze them theologically and spiritually. It helps students to understand the fundamental theological and spiritual themes in Syriac Christianity and provides an overview of Syriac Christianity and its significance in the early church.

Knowing

• To know the essential works of Ephrem’s metrical poetry to express theology and spirituality and the important contribution of Ephrem to the church.

Being

• By the end of the course, students will have a large understanding of the fundamental works of one of the essential figures in Syriac Christianity by reading, discussing, and analyzing Ephrem’s works theologically and spiritually.

Doing

• Develop each student’s ability to identify the connection between poetry, theology, and spirituality in Ephrem’s writings.