Metrical Discourses on Faith by the Blessed Mar Ephrem

Translated, with Introduction and Notes

By (author) A. Hayes

Book cover: Metrical Discourses on Faith by the Blessed Mar Ephrem

Extent: 154 pages

Publisher: Peeters Publishers

Subjects: Religious Studies

Series: Eastern Christian Texts in Translation

Series volume number: 4

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(March 2020)

ISBN: 9789042939349

Price: $48.00

Out of stock

eBook (Published)

(March 2020)

ISBN: 9789042939356

Price: $60.00

Ephrem the Syrian’s six Metrical Discourses on Faith reflect on issues central to or arising from the Arian controversy as it manifested in the Syriac-speaking churches: the unique status of the Son of God, the distinction between creator and creation, and especially the problem of human audacity in the quest for knowledge of God. Like Ephrem’s other works, these discourses are replete with biblical language and brimming with creative symbolism. However, being less terse and allusive in style than many of his other poems, they also serve as a crucial exposition of some of his most fundamental ideas and a relatively accessible introduction to his thought as a whole. This is the first complete English translation of the whole collection, accompanied by a detailed introduction and copious explanatory notes.


Ephrem the Syrian’s six Metrical Discourses on Faith reflect on issues central to or arising from the Arian controversy as it manifested in the Syriac-speaking churches: the unique status of the Son of God, the distinction between creator and creation, and especially the problem of human audacity in the quest for knowledge of God. Like Ephrem’s other works, these discourses are replete with biblical language and brimming with creative symbolism. However, being less terse and allusive in style than many of his other poems, they also serve as a crucial exposition of some of his most fundamental ideas and a relatively accessible introduction to his thought as a whole. This is the first complete English translation of the whole collection, accompanied by a detailed introduction and copious explanatory notes.

  • By (author) A. Hayes