NARSAJ THE LEPER. – Syriac Nestorian writer, born c. 410 at 'Ajn Dulbà, died shortly after 503. He taught for a long time at the catechetical school of Edessa. Expelled because of his Nestorian tendency, in 457 he founded the school of Nisibi, which he directed for a full 40 years.
He wrote no fewer than 360 metrical discourses and hymns that found acceptance in liturgical use. A lengthy explanation of the Eucharistic liturgy and another of that of Baptism are also attributed to 'Abdišć' of Elam. His writings are distinguished by the beauty of their style and earned him the nickname “harp of the Holy Spirit.”
BIBL.: A. Baumstark, Geschichte der syrischen Literatur, Bonn 1922, pp. 109–13; J.-B. Chabot, Literature syriaque, Parigi 1934, pp. 50–51. Guglielmo de Vries