Hierarch
Hierarch, Patriarch Ephraim, Patriarch of Antioch
†545
Hierarch Ephraim, Patriarch of Antioch (527-545) — born in the city of Amida, he came from a noble Syrian family; he served under Emperors Anastasius and Justin, and was Count of the East; in 526 he was sent by Emperor Justin to Antioch, devastated by an earthquake, to lead the restoration work, after which in 527 he was elected to the patriarchal throne.
Hierarch Ephraim was born in the city of Amida, coming from a noble Syrian family. Before his elevation to the patriarchal throne, he served under the Byzantine emperors Anastasius (491-518) and Justin (518-527), holding the position of chief treasurer of the empire and then Count of the East (522-526). In 526, after a devastating earthquake in Antioch that claimed the life of Patriarch Euphrasius, he was sent by Emperor Justin to lead the reconstruction of the ruined city. In 527, Hierarch Ephraim was elected Patriarch of Antioch and headed the see until his death in 545, zealously caring for the flock entrusted to him and defending Orthodox teaching. His memory is kept on June 8/21.