Homily On the Nativity by St Ephraim the Syrian, Translated by Dr Sebastian Brock
Icon of St Ephraim the Syrian
available from Convent of St Elizabeth
This homily is available from IOCS and posted on Ancient Faith Radio here
I find it fascinating that St Ephraim writes that "God entered her through her ear". Jacob of Serug also writes in his first homily On the Mother of God that "The Word entered and dwelt in her within the guarded seals", and "But come and see the Watcher (Archangel Gabriel-in the Syriac tradition angels are sometimes called 'Watchers') instilling salvation into Mary's ear and removing the insinuation of the serpent from her and consoling her".
Dr Sebastian Brock in his Introduction to Mary Hansbury's translation of four homilies by Jacob of Serug (a non-Chalcedonian Syriac writer of the 5th century), notes that, "the object (of this detail of entering through her ear) being to provide a contrast with Eve's disobedience through listening to the serpent, sin being pictured as entering through her ear, like poison, as the serpent spoke" from 'On the Mother of God p.10 by Jacob of Serug, trans. by Mary Hansbury, Introduction by Dr Sebastian Brock, SVS Press, 1998.
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What a wonderful reflection. Thank you for noting this detail that is noted by St. Ephraim. It is essential to the significance of the Annunciation. Indeed, the “fall” and salvation are initiated, fostered, and consummated by word:
ReplyDelete14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says:
“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But to Israel he says:
“All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.” (Romans 10.14-21)
Dear Lazarus
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, the beauty and depth of the Church Fathers is breathtaking. The fall happened through listening and believing the word of the serpent. Salvation comes when the Virgin listens to the Word of God.The Word Himself becomes flesh, entering her and dwelling within the holy tabernacle of her womb. Glory to God! The passage from Romans resonates even more under the light of St Ephraim's poem. Thank you.