Gregory of narek is widely revered as one of the greatest figures of medieval armenian religious thought and literature. Gregory of narek have long been recognized as gems of. Gregory s genius is reflected in his masterpiece book of lamentations. Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 95a by haik hakopian. Nersess armenian seminary will present his new book at the zohrab center on monday, march 20 at 7pm the book is entitled, the festal works of st. Gregory of narek was a 10th century armenian monk, poet, and mystical writer and composer. He called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. A 10thcentury armenian monk has been named among the doctors of the church. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy. Gregory of narek was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and. His most wellknown literary work is a book of prayers, known as the book of lamentations. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical orthography.
It is perhaps the most wellknown text written in the armenian language. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy or lamentation. St gregory himself defined the work as an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Gregory of narek religionwiki fandom powered by wikia. Gregory is said to have worked many miracles and counseled many people. Pope francis joins catholicoi karekin ii and aram i in. Annotated translation of the odes, litanies and encomia. The book of prayers, or book of lamentations, is a collection of 95 poems. It was his hope that it would serve as a guide to prayer by people of all stations around the world.
Grigor narekatsi book of prayer armenian literature. Gregory of narek hardcover october 15, 2005 by grigor narekatsi author, thomas j. Grigor narekatsi author of the armenian prayer book of st. Gregory is the first doctor of the church to have lived outside direct communion with the bishop of rome. Abraham terian, professor emeritus of armenian patristics and theology at st. Gregory of narek born circa 950 to a family of scholarly churchmen, st. Pope francis and armenian patriarchs bless a bronze statue of. Composer alfred schnittkes concerto for mixed chorus in classical armenian version grabar was performed for the first time in vatican on april 5. Commentary on the prayers and lamentations of grigor narekatsi. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical. Gregory came from a line of scholars and churchmen.
Gregorys masterpiece is considered to be his book of lamentations. Gregorys genius is reflected in his masterpiece book of lamentations. His book of prayers, also known as book of lamentations, a long mystical poem in 95 sections written around 977, has been translated into many languages. Completed towards the end of his life, circa 100203, the work has been described as a monologue, a personal lyric and confessional poem, mystical and meditative. I actually found it for free elsewhere, but just had to buy a copy for my private prayers because of the good that gregory fills me with in these prayers. A part of the concerto was performed by deacon hovhannes nersesyan with the mirzoyan. Shortly before the first millennium of christianity, narek monastery was a thriving center of learning. St gregory of narek book of lamentations, grigor narekatsi c.
Gregory of nareks classic, the book of lamentations, the matean oghbergutean needs no introduction. Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic church. Gregory of narek statue unveiled at the vatican massispost. The book of lamentations which he called an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations is a unique cohesion of the soul invigorating prayers that are considered to possess powers of healing and protection.
In the middle ages people considered the book of lamentations or narek as healing the life and tried with its help to purify the soul, get free from sins and. Revered for a thousand years, the book is so closely identified. Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic. Also known as narek, it is comprised of 95 prayers, each of which is titled conversation with god from the depth of the heart. Gregory of narek sourp krikor naregatzi, is a towering figure in the armenian church who is best remembered for his book of lamentations. He is the author of a mystical interpretation on the song of songs and numerous poetic writings. Gregory of narek is the author of many works, his fame rests upon the book of lamentations, a collection of ninetyfive.
Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 1a haik hakopian. Grigor narekatsi grigor narekatsi biography poem hunter. Gregory left this world in 1003, but his voice continues to speak to us. From the history of the relations between the churches and the. St gregory narek in the late 10th century, an elderly armenian monk determined to set down words in a book as if they were his body, the meaning of which was. Saint gregory of narek also called grigor narekatsi was born in the city of. Gregory of narek during a meeting saturday with cardinal angelo amato. A central theme is mans separation from god, and his quest to reunite with him. He is a saint of the armenian apostolic church and was declared a doctor of he was based there almost all his life.
It is commonly called narek, or the prayer book, and was published in 1673 in marseille, and later translated into at least 30 languages. Gregory lived most of his life at the monastery at narek in armenia. Based in the monastery of narek narekavank, he was armenias first great poet. This is the first english translation of these poetic works. Gregory of narek is the first new doctor of the church appointed by pope francis. The importance of his writings to religion in armenia is unparalleled. Book of lamentations by gregory of narek goodreads. His earliest extant writing is a commentary on the biblical book the song of songs in 977, which is notable for its ample use of earlier greek commentators on the biblical book, particularly gregory of nyssa. Gregory wrote a mystical interpretation of the song of songs and a long mystical poem entitled book of prayer, also known as the book of lamentations. Gregory of narek armenian apostolic church in richmond heights, ohio, near cleveland, was built in 1964. Gregory of narek hits hard, and to the profit of those who will read him. There he devoted much of his time to prayer and writing.
Gregory did make several pilgrimages throughout the near east. Gregory of narek was a saint, priest, mystic, composer, astronomer, theologian and poet, honored as the first poet of armenia and revered by armenians as a watchful angel in human form. Gregory entered the narek monastery, a very active center of learning on lake van in modernday turkey. Liturgical mysticism and chapter 33 of the book of lamentation of st grigor narekaci, rearm 26 1996, pp. Gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 95b by haik hakopian. Gregory of narek armenian church in honor of the 10th century armenian monk who authored the book of lamentations, a masterpiece of armenian ecclesiastical literature.
Book of prayers book of lamentations written shortly before the first millennium of christianity, the prayers of st. As a result, the difficulties of earthly life would disappear. Written shortly before the first millennium of christianity, the prayers of st. Gregory of narek is known for his various poetic writings, especially a book of prayers entitled book of lamentations. Gregory of narek was a tenthcentury armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, and a theologian. Hildegard of bingen and juan of avila, conferred by pope. It originates from the village and monastery of narek and owns its popularity to gregory of narek and the book of lamentations, popularlily known as narek. I was completely unaware of their existence and was quite touched by what i began to read. I was completely unaware of their existence and was quite touched by. Oct 15, 2002 gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Alfred schnittkes concerto with original text of st. The saints the book of lamentationscommonly referred to simply as the narekis a mystical prayer poem in 95 sections, and is considered his most important work. Gregory entered narek monastery on the southeast shore of lake van at a young age.
He is best known for his book of lamentations, a major piece of mystical literature. On april 12, 1015, pope francis officially proclaimed gregory of narek as a doctor of the church. For narekatsi, peoples absolute goal in life should be to reach to god. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical orthography grigor narekatsi on. Scholars have compared this book of worship with davids psalms and st. Gregory of narek have long been recognized as gems of christian literature. It was his hope that it would serve as a guide to prayer for people of all stations around the world. Gregory of narek was a saint, priest, mystic, composer, astronomer, theologian and poet, honored as the first poet of armenia and revered by. It is considered a masterpiece of armenian literature.
Gregory of narek is a mystic, and his greatest contribution to the church after his sainthood and prayers, is a book of poems. Pope francis and armenian patriarchs bless a bronze statue. Saint gregory has been depicted holding his book of prayer in a variety of artwork and a professor of psychiatry was able to develop a unique kind of therapy based on. Gregory of narek s classic, the book of lamentations, the matean oghbergutean needs no introduction.
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