Saint Ephraim of Antioch

Saint Ephraim of Antioch (Greek: Άγιος Εφραίμ ο Αντιοχείας), also known as Saint Ephraim of Amida (Greek: Άγιος Εφραίμ o Ἀμίδιος, Syriac: ܐܦܪܝܡ ܐܡܕܝܐ), was the Patriarch of Antioch, and head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, from 527 until his death in 545. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches. His feast day is 8 June. Ephraim was the son of a certain Appianus, and was born in the city of Amida in the fifth century, where he became fluent in both Greek and Syriac. Ephraim was later employed in the civil government, and served as a military general during the reigns of Emperor Anastasius and his successor Emperor Justin I. In 522, Ephraim was appointed comes Orientis by Emperor Justin and undertook stern measures against the Blues, a chariot racing faction, who had rioted earlier that year. Rioting within the city ceased as a result of Ephraim's actions, and, in 524/525, he was bestowed the honorary title of comes sacrarum largitionum, thus granting him admission to the senate. Ephraim carried out building works in Antioch in November 524 or February, June or July 525. In late 525, Ephraim was replaced by Anatolius, but was re-appointed comes Orientis by 29 May 526, at which time an earthquake struck Antioch. Ephraim began reconstruction of the city, during which he saw a pillar of fire rise from a sleeping stone-cutter to the sky. The saint awoke the stone-cutter who revealed he had formerly been a bishop and prophesied that Ephraim would become Patriarch of Antioch. Ephraim's efforts to rebuild the city earned him the affinity of the people of Antioch and many called for him to succeed Euphrasius as patriarch, as he had died in the earthquake of 526. At the request of the people of Antioch, Ephraim became a monk, and was consecrated Patriarch of Antioch in April/May 527. In 528, Antioch was struck by another earthquake, during which under 5000 people were killed, and the saint helped to rebuild the city once more.