Saint Ephraim the Syrian, the Saint of Repentance and Tears

By Professor Lambros K. Skontzos

Syria was the primordial cradle of Christianity. Besides, the name "Christian" was established there, from the name of Christ (Acts 11:25). Myriads of holy Syrian men and women illuminate our holy Church.

One of them is Saint Ephraim the Syrian, who was distinguished for his ascetic life and his struggles for Orthodoxy.

He is one of the great Fathers of the Church.

"Behold Your King Is Coming To You"

By Lambros K. Skontzos

After the wondrous resurrection of Lazarus, his pious sisters laid out for the Lord and His disciples a great and brilliant dinner to thank their Great Benefactor.

Martha made sure nothing was missing from the rich table. With them sat Lazarus. Mary, during the dinner, took a precious container full of expensive myrrh and began to wash the feet of Christ.

She also untied her rich hair and with it wiped the feet of the Redeemer. The fragrant scent of myrrh filled the house.

This event created feelings of surprise to bystanders. Judas Iscariot, the future traitor of the Lord, said: "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."

And the sacred evangelist adds a note at this point: "He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it" (Jn. 12:6).