CHAPTER XL

EPHRAIM

[1] YOU must have heard particulars about Ephraim, the deacon of the Church of Edessa; for he is one of those who deserve to be remembered by religious people. Having completed in worthy fashion the journey of the Spirit, without being diverted from the straight road, he was counted worthy of the grace of natural knowledge, and afterwards of the knowledge of God and final blessedness. So having always practised the quiet life and for many years continuing to edify his visitors, at last he left his cell, for the following reason. [2] A great famine having come upon the city of Edessa, he felt compassion for the whole country-side, which was being destroyed, and approached those who were rich in material things and said to them: “Why do you not take pity on human nature being destroyed, instead of letting your wealth be corrupted for the condemnation of your souls?” They considered the matter and said to him: “We have no one whom we can trust to minister to the famine-stricken. For all are dishonest in business affairs.” He said to them: “What do you think of me?” Now he had a great reputation among all, not falsely but truly. [3] They said to him: “We know you to be a man of God.” “Then trust me,” he said. “See, on your behalf I appoint myself hospitaller.” And he raised money, and partitioned the porticoes and made up some 300 beds, and so nursed the sufferers from the famine, burying those who succumbed and treating those who had hope of life, and in a word out of the funds entrusted to him provided day by day hospitality and assistance for all the inhabitants. [4] So when the year was completed and prosperity returned and all went home, no longer having anything to do he entered his own cell and died after a month, God having provided him this opportunity of gaining a crown just before his end. Also he left some writings, most of which deserve to be studied.