Which Church Fathers composed praises and Church songs through the ages?⁵⁹⁸

The answer

In the second century, St. Clement of Alexandria’s soul was gripped by love for the heavenly Instructor, the Word of God. He left us a beautiful praise in his book “The Instructor” or Paedagogus. St. Jacob Baradaeus also collected about a hundred and fifty Syrian praises. In the fourth century, St. Ephrem the Syrian, known as the “Harp of the Holy Spirit,” enriched the Syrian Church with his profound, biblical, and theological praises. Also in the fourth century, St. Hilary of Poitiers was very touched by the Greek praises he heard during his visit to Asia Minor; and upon his return to the Gaul, he began to compose his own theological praises.

It was said of Bishop Nicetas of Remesiana that he won over many of the pagans and barbarians in his diocese to the faith through praise. St. Ambrose composed praises for the congregation to sing. Among that congregation, St. Augustine was deeply influenced by these praises. About the same time, Prudentius of Spain composed praises that were even more inspirational than those of St. Ambrose and were used in addition to liturgical prayers.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty