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St. Ephrem (306-373) is known as the composer of hymns, poems, and verse in the Syrian dialect of Aramaic, a Galilean dialect of which was spoken by Jesus. He was a deacon and a representative of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Ephrem was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. His feast day is 9 June in the West (probable date of his death) and 28 January in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is considered the first "Marian doctor," who revealed the secrets of the Incarnation. St. Ephrem was born in Nisbis, Mesopotamia (today Urfa, Iraq) and settled in Edessa, the center of Syria Christianity. Ordained as a deacon, he is considered an ascetic rather than a monk. His hymns reinforced orthodox faith in the face of 4th century heresies. He also composed scriptural commentaries and a chronology covering the patriarchs to the Resurrection. Artist Daniela Fusco designed the €1,15 stamp. It is printed in sheets of ten. It depicts St. Ephrem with a dove and a lyre (or zither), both symbols of the Holy Spirit. A quill pen represents writing for his poems, hymns, and verse. A blue star with an "M" represents his devotion to the Virgin Mary.

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