Narsai spent ten years as a student at the School of Edessa, and later returned there to teach (c. 437), eventually becoming head of the school. Perhaps in 471, Narsai left Edessa after disagreeing with the city's bishop Cyrus (471–498).
Narsai spent ten years studying at the School of Edessa and later returned to educate there (c. 437), eventually becoming the school's chief. He may have departed Edessa in 471 after disagreeing with Bishop Cyrus, who ruled the city from 471 until his passing in 498.