Translations

On Reproof is a verse homily (memrā) attributed to Narsai, a prominent East Syriac theologian and poet of the late fifth century. The work belongs to the genre of reproo…

On Reproof of the Clergy is a verse homily (memrā) by the East Syriac theologian and poet Narsai (d. ca. 503 CE). Composed in Syriac during the late fifth century, the w…

Narsai's memrā on Samson is a metrical homily composed in isosyllabic couplets, typical of his liturgical poetry. The work survives in multiple East Syriac manuscripts,…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily on the episode where Jesus says to Simon Peter 'Get thee behind me, Satan' (Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33) is a Syriac memra from the late 5…

This metrical homily (memra) attributed to Narsai treats Solomon typologically as a prefiguration of Christ and the Church, rather than as a historical figure. Delivered…

Narsai's memrā on Stephen the protomartyr is a metrical homily composed in isosyllabic couplets, blending encomium and threnody. It reimagines Stephen's stoning as a mil…

On Supplication is a metrical homily (memra) by Narsai, a leading theologian of the Church of the East in the late fifth century. The work explores the theme of supplica…

On the Reproof of Women is a verse homily (mēmrā) attributed to the East Syriac theologian Narsai (d. ca. 503), though the attribution is unverified. The work belongs to…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily 'On That Star Which the Magi Saw' interprets the star of Bethlehem as a divine messenger to the Magi, blending astrological and theolog…

This metrical homily by Jacob of Serugh (c. 451–521) explores the Gospel question of how to inherit eternal life, focusing on a young man's inquiry to Christ. The work i…

Narsai's metrical homily (memrā) on the Antichrist, composed in the late fifth century CE, is a liturgical poem from the East Syrian tradition. It survives in a single m…

Narsai's memrā on the Ascension is a metrical homily composed for the feast of the Ascension, likely during his activity at the School of Nisibis in the late fifth centu…

Narsai's memrā on the Nativity is a Syriac liturgical poem celebrating the birth of Christ. It employs dense theological language to affirm the incarnation as a remedy f…

On the Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is a Syriac treatise attributed to Thomas of Edessa, surviving in a single manuscript (DSC 514) with signs of scribal emendation an…

On the Blessing of Noah is a Syriac memrā (metrical homily) attributed to Narsai, a prominent theologian of the Church of the East in the late fifth century. The work in…

This metrical homily (memrā) by Jacob of Serugh (c. 451–521) interprets the brazen serpent of Numbers 21:4–9 as a typological prefiguration of the cross. Jacob presents…

Narsai's homily on the Canaanite woman (Matt 15:21–28) is a late fifth-century Syriac memra from the Church of the East, likely composed during his tenure at the School…

This metrical homily, attributed to Jacob of Serugh (c. 451–521), retells the Gospel story of the Canaanite (Syro-Phoenician) woman from Matthew 15:21–28. It celebrates…

Narsai's metrical homily (memra) on the Church and the priesthood, composed in classical Syriac during the late fifth century, blends exegesis with liturgical exhortatio…

On the Confessors is a metrical homily (memra) by Narsai, a prominent theologian of the Church of the East, composed in the late fifth or early sixth century CE. The wor…

On the Consecration of the Church is a Syriac liturgical work attributed to Timothy II, patriarch of the Church of the East (1318–1332). It describes the rite for consec…

This metrical homily by Jacob of Serugh (c. 451–521) combines a church consecration sermon with a typological exposition of Moses, linking architectural sanctification t…

Narsai's metrical homily (memrā) on the dedication of a church celebrates the consecration of a church building, likely composed in the late fifth century CE within the…

This metrical homily (memra) by Balai of Balsh celebrates the consecration of a church at Qenneshrin (Chalcis ad Belum) in northern Syria. The work is encomiastic and de…

This mimro (verse homily) by Jacob of Serugh dramatizes the dialogue between Peter and Christ following Peter's denial of Jesus before the crucifixion. Written in elevat…

On the Departed and the Resurrection is a memrā (metrical homily) by Narsai, composed in classical Syriac isosyllabic couplets. The work offers a didactic and homiletic…

Jacob of Serugh's memrā 'On the Descent of the Highest upon Mount Sinai' is a late 5th/early 6th century Syriac liturgical poem that interprets the Sinai theophany (Exod…

On the Divine Revelations to Abraham is a homiletic retelling of the Abraham cycle by Narsai, a leading theologian of the Church of the East (d. ca. 503). Composed in Sy…

This work is a series of homiletic expositions on biblical patriarchs and prophets, blending typological exegesis with liturgical exhortation. Attributed to Narsai (d. c…

On the Eucharist by Timothy II, patriarch of the Church of the East (1318–1332), is a Syriac theological treatise composed under Mongol rule. It engages earlier Syriac e…

This homily on the Finding of the Holy Cross, attributed to the East Syriac poet Narsai (d. ca. 503), celebrates the Invention of the Cross by Helena, mother of Constant…

Narsai's memrā on the Flood is a late fifth-century Syriac verse homily that blends biblical paraphrase with typological and moral interpretation. It belongs to a cycle…

Narsai's memrā on the four evangelists is a Syriac poetic homily from the late fifth or early sixth century, attributed to the East Syriac theologian Narsai (d. ca. 503)…

Narsai's memrā 'On the Incarnation of Christ' is a metrical homily composed in Syriac during the late fifth century, likely at the School of Edessa or Nisibis. It presen…

On the Iniquity of the World is a verse homily (memra) by Narsai, a prominent theologian of the Church of the East, composed in classical Syriac during the late fifth ce…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily 'On the Lenten Fast I' is a poetic exhortation for the pre-Lenten fast, composed in Syriac during the late 5th to early 6th century. It…

On the Lenten Fast II is a metrical homily (memrā) by Jacob of Serugh (c. 451–521 CE), a prominent Syriac poet-theologian. The work exhorts ascetic practice and spiritua…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily 'On the Lenten Fast III' is a Syriac liturgical poem composed for the pre-Paschal fast, likely in the late 5th to early 6th century. It…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homilies On the Love of God and On Perfect Reconciliation explore divine love as the foundation of Christian teaching and the means of spiritu…

Narsai's 'On the Martyrs' is a verse homily (memrā) from the late fifth or early sixth century CE, composed in Syriac for liturgical commemoration of Persian martyrs. It…

Narsai's 'On the Martyrs' is a Syriac memrā (verse homily) composed in the late fifth century CE, during the Sasanian persecution of Christians under King Kawad I. The w…

This work by Jacob of Serugh addresses the commemoration of the departed and the nature of the Eucharistic bread, blending liturgical instruction with theological reflec…

On the Miracles of Moses is a metrical homily (memra) attributed to Narsai, a prominent East Syriac theologian and poet of the late fifth century. The work retells and i…

On the Monastic Profession is a Syriac liturgical or canonical text composed by Timothy II, patriarch of the Church of the East (1318–c. 1353). It provides instructions…

Narsai's memrā 'On the New Creation' is a late fifth-century Syriac poetic homily that explores the theme of eschatological renewal and restoration. Composed during Nars…

Narsai's memrā on the Parable of the Ten Virgins is a metrical homily in Syriac, likely composed in the late fifth century. It survives in a single 19th-century manuscri…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily on the parable of the vineyard laborers (Matt 20:1–16) is a verse exposition composed in Syriac during his episcopal tenure in Batnan (…

Narsai's memrā on the Passion is a metrical homily composed in Syriac isosyllabic couplets, likely in the late fifth century at the School of Edessa or Nisibis. It treat…

Jacob of Serugh's homily 'On the Pharisee and the Publican Who Went up to the Temple to Pray' expands the Gospel parable (Luke 18:10–14) into a moral and Christological…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily 'On the Power of Repentance' explores repentance as a transformative, divine force that enables the believer to return from sin to God.…

This work is a Syriac verse homily (memrā) on the Lord's Prayer, traditionally attributed to Jacob of Serugh (ca. 451–521). It survives in a single 9th–10th century manu…

On the Priesthood is a Syriac homily attributed to Timothy II, patriarch of the Church of the East (1318–1332). Delivered in a liturgical setting, the work employs eleva…

Narsai's homily On the Prodigal Son is a Syriac mēmrā (isosyllabic couplet poem) that reworks the Lucan parable (Luke 15:11–32) into a dramatic dialogue between the fath…

Jacob of Serugh's memrā on the prodigal son is a verse exposition of Luke 15:11–32, composed in Syriac during his episcopate at Batnan (late 5th–early 6th century). The…

Narsai's memra on the Raising of Lazarus is a festal homily from the late fifth century, composed in Syriac for the East Syriac liturgical tradition. It survives in a si…

Narsai's memra 'On the Repentant Thief' is a metrical homily in twelve-syllable verse, traditionally attributed to the late fifth-century East Syriac poet-theologian. Th…

Narsai's memrā 'On the Resurrection' is a Syriac liturgical poem in isosyllabic couplets, composed in the late fifth or early sixth century. It explores the eschatologic…

On the Revelations to Abraham is a Syriac memrā (metrical homily) attributed to Narsai (d. ca. 500 CE), composed in isosyllabic couplets typical of his homiletic style.…

Narsai's homily On the Rich Man and Lazarus is a verse-by-verse exposition of Luke 16:19–31, composed in Syriac during the second half of the fifth century CE. The work…

Jacob of Serugh's metrical homily on the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) is a Syriac memra composed in the late 5th to early 6th century. It survives in multiple ma…

Narsai's memra 'On the Second Coming' is a metrical homily in 12-syllable verse with end-rhyme, composed in the late fifth century CE. It belongs to the East Syriac litu…

On the Solitaries is a collection of ascetic sayings and counsels attributed to Abraham of Nathpar, a late 6th- to early 7th-century East Syriac monastic author. The wor…

Narsai's metrical homily (memrā) on the soul, composed in the late fifth century CE, is a didactic and rhetorical poem typical of the East Syriac tradition. It employs s…

Narsai's metrical homily (memra) on the tabernacle blends typological exegesis with liturgical imagery, interpreting the Mosaic tabernacle as a microcosm of creation and…

Narsai's memrā on the temptation of Christ, composed for Epiphany or Lent in the late fifth century, presents a typological exegesis linking the first Adam's fall to Chr…

Narsai's memra on the temptation of Christ is a metrical homily in Syriac, composed in the late fifth century CE. It uses the 12-syllable meter typical of Narsai's works…

Narsai's memra 'On the Three Children' is a metrical homily (ʿūḡāyā) composed in the late fifth century CE, likely during his time at the School of Nisibis. The work cel…

Narsai's 'On the Three Doctors' is a Syriac memra (metrical homily) celebrating the three Greek-speaking teachers Diodore of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and Nestoriu…

This memrā (verse homily) by Narsai, a leading theologian of the Church of the East (d. ca. 502 CE), offers a poetic exposition of Genesis 11:1–9, the Tower of Babel nar…

Narsai's homily on the Virgin Mary, composed in Syriac in the late fifth century, is a liturgical poem celebrating Mary as the Mother of God (yāldat ʾalāhā). It reflects…

On the Wheat and the Tares is a metrical homily (memrā) attributed to Narsai (d. ca. 503), a leading theologian of the Church of the East. The work allegorizes the Parab…

This metrical homily (memra) by Narsai (d. ca. 503) allegorizes the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1–16). Narsai reworks the Gospel narrative as a spiri…

On Virginity is a prose exhortation on ascetic virginity attributed to Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373). Written in Syriac, it is parenetic and scripturally dense, reflecting…

On Works is a memrā (metrical homily) by Narsai, a prominent theologian and poet of the Church of the East in the late fifth to early sixth century. Composed in isosylla…

Jacob of Serugh's homily on Zacchaeus the publican is a verse exposition of the Lucan story (Luke 19:1-10), blending exegesis with moral exhortation. It presents Zacchae…

Precepts and Advice to Priests and Sons of the Covenant is a Syriac pastoral text attributed to Rabbula of Edessa (d. 435/436 CE). It survives in a single manuscript (Br…

Recognition 4 of the Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions, attributed to Clement of Rome, survives in a single Syriac manuscript (Vat. syr. 104) translated from a lost Greek o…

The 'Supplications in the First Tone' is a Syriac liturgical collection traditionally attributed to Rabbula of Edessa (d. 435). It survives in a single manuscript tradit…

The Travels of Peter is a first-person travel narrative attributed to the apostle Peter, surviving only in a single Syriac manuscript (DSC 389). The work blends apocryph…

Gregorius bar Hebraeus's 'Treatise of Treatises, Book 1' is a philosophical-theological work in Syriac, structured as a series of dialogues or disputations. The title su…

Book 2 of the Treatise of Treatises by Gregorius bar Hebraeus (d. 1286) is a philosophical-theological dialogue in Syriac between a master and disciple. It explores bein…

Treatise of Treatises, Book 3 by Gregorius bar Hebraeus is a philosophical-theological dialogue in Syriac, employing East Syriac scholastic terminology. It systematicall…