E01976: The Homily (memrā) on *Sharbel (martyr in Edessa, S01126) is written in Syriac during the late 5th/early 6th c. by Jacob of Serugh (c. 451-521). Retells the story of the conversion and martyrdom of Sharbel and his sister *Babai (S01126), while celebrating the martyrs' steadfastness.

Jacob of Serugh, Homily on Sharbel

In his exposition of the martyrs' life and death, the author proceeds along the main narrative line of their life as found in the Acts of Sharbel (E01890). A long introductory part, in which Sharbel's pagan past is described (pp. 52-54), is followed by the mention of his conversion and that of his sister Babai (pp. 54-55). After that, Sharbel's arrest and arrival at the judge's court are briefly described (p. 55). Similarly to the Acts, the longest part of the Homily is devoted to the scenes of the various tortures inflicted upon Sharbel (pp. 56-60), description of which corresponds closely to that of the Acts. It concludes with the description of the execution of Sharbel and of Babai (pp. 60-63).