St. Ephraim of Syria

Joyous feast! The life of St. Ephraim, a great father and hymnographer of the Church of Antioch, can be found here. May his blessing and prayers be with us all! What follows is his testament to his disciples:

I Ephraim am dying and writing my Testament,
To be a witness for the pupils who come after me:
Be constantly praying, day and night;
As a ploughman who ploughs again and again,
Whose work is admirable.
Do not be like the lazy ones in whose fields thorns grow.
Be constantly praying, for he who adores prayer
Will find help in both worlds.