Monk Ephrem of Nisibis/Nusaybin (AD 306-373)

Ephrem was born in Nisibis on the modern Syrian border, around 306. He grew up under the spiritu- al guidance of bishop Jacob. With Jacob, Ephrem attended the first Ecumenical Church Council in Nicea in 325 and assisted in the writing of the first version of the Nicene Creed.

Ephrem became the leader of the theological school of Nisibis, which was the primary center of learning for the Syriac Orthodox Church. When the Persians invaded northern Mesopotamia in 363, Ephrem reestablished the school of Nisibis in Edessa (modern Urfa).

He died in 373 at the age of sixty-seven.