In the late 10 th century, an elderly armenian monk determined to set down words in a book as if they were his body, the. Gregory was born about 950 to a family dedicated to the church. It originates from the village and monastery of narek and owns its popularity to gregory of narek and the book of lamentations, popularly known as narek. Even though little is know of his life, much is known of his literary work. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy or lamentation. Gregory saw god, to which he gives witness in prayers 5c and 27f, where he regrets his wrongdoing toward the one, whom i saw with my own eyes. 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. Gregory of narek is the author of many works, his fame rests upon the book of lamentations, a collection of ninetyfive. Share your videos with friends, family, and the world. Gregory of narek s book of lamentations under a lit candle and. His book of prayers or book of lamentations, a long mystical poem in 95 sections written around 977. Gregory of narek encouraged the development of classical armenian as a literary language.
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. For narekatsi, peoples absolute goal in life should be to reach to god. It is composed of 95 chapters and over 10,000 lines. I willingly blame myself with myriad accounts of all the incurable sins, from our first forefather through the end of his generations in all eternity, i charge myself with all these voluntarily book of lamentations, lxxii. Ilze reine organ janis porietis trumpet anna mayilyan mezzosoprano armenia latvian radio choir conductor sigvards klavaprogram. Also known as narek, it is comprised of 95 prayers, each of which is titled conversation with god from the depth of the heart. The work has been described as a monologue, a personal lyric and confessional poem, mystical and meditative. Davit klekchyan posted on march 22, 2021 posted by. His father, khosrov antsevatsi, served as a bishop and theologian of the armenian church. The book belonged to a family whose paternal name was pape, and it was called narek not because it was the book of lamentations by gregory of narek, as it was customary for people to call it so, but for the fact that although it was a gospel, it had a healing ability, so the villagers called it papes narek. We will do some daily readings from the holy bible and read a prayer from st.
The book is in eastern armenian translated from old armenian. Gregory of narek is widely revered as one of the greatest figures of medieval armenian religious thought and literature. He called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. His book of prayers, also known as book of lamentations, a long mystical poem in 95 sections written around 977 has been translated to many languages.
Narek grigor narekatsi book of lamentations, armenian classical. As a result, the difficulties of earthly life would disappear. There he devoted much of his time to prayer and writing. Saint gregory of narek, an extraordinary interpreter of the human soul, offers words which are prophetic for us. St gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 30c youtube. Hayots ashkhar, september 28, 2001 translated from the original. Also known as narek, it is comprised of 95 prayers, each of which is titled conversation with god from the depth of the. Prayer 51 speaking with god from the depths of the heart. Gregory received his education under the guidance of his father, bishop khosrov, author of the earliest commentary on the divine liturgy, and from anania vartabed, abbot of. Grigor narekatsi author of the armenian prayer book of st. The millennium of the book of lamentations, by grigor narekatsi. He is a saint of the armenian apostolic church and was declared a doctor of the churc.
Book of lamentations by gregory of narek goodreads. He was a monk, poet, mystical philosopher, and theologian, born into a family of writers. Gregory of nareks classic, the book of lamentations, the matean oghbergutean needs no introduction. I was completely unaware of their existence and was quite touched by what i began to read. Gregory penned many works and commentaries throughout his life, his most famous piece being the book of lamentations. Gregory of narek s book of lamentations, from 1173. Based in the monastery of narek narekavank, he was armenias first great poet. Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic church. It is perhaps the most wellknown text written in the armenian language. Gregory also testifies that the book, an edifice of faith.
Saint gregory of narek doctor of the church book of 94 prayer book of lamentations. Saint gregory of narek was an armenian abbot who lived in the mid900s. He is the author of numerous books, articles and translations, including a course in modern western armenian, a retelling of. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical. The 95 lamentations are grouped together, mirroring the different stages of the liturgy, from the dismissal of the catechumens, the profession of faith and communion to the final prayers in preparation of death and judgment. Hayots ashkhar, september 28, 2001 the best translation of narekatsi in any language. He is the author of mystical interpretation on the song of songs and numerous poetic writings. Mar 14, 2015 his hymns can be found in the many services of the armenian rite, and his commentary on the song of the songs and his book of lamentations are both a treasury of teaching and contemplative wisdom. Shortly before the first millennium of christianity, narek monastery was a thriving center of learning. The book, the work of his mature years remains one of the definitive pieces of armenian literature. The book of prayers, or book of lamentations, is a collection of 95 poems. St gregory of narek by nowitzkitramonto on deviantart. Oct 12, 2020 five years ago, i wrote an article asking whether st.
On april 12, 1015, pope francis officially proclaimed gregory of narek as a doctor of the church. Online or in person for prayer and silent meditation every wednesday during great lent. He examines the human condition and offers profound meditations on the nature of existence and the christian god. Concert dedicated to the millenium anniversary of gregory of. 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. What are your thoughts on gregory of narek as a saint and. Saint gregory of narek is an armenian medieval monk, theologian, mystical. At a young age, he entered the local monastery, where he remained for the rest of his life. A prolific writer, gregory s reputation rests especially on his book of lamentations, a collection of ninetyfive prayers which he subtitled conversations with god from the depth of the heart.
It is commonly called narek, or the prayer book, and was published in 1673 in marseille, and later translated into at least 30 languages. Narek grigor narekatsi book of lamentations, armenian. Gregory lived most of his life at the monastery at narek in armenia. Jan 01, 2014 gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic church. Grigory of narek renaissance of narekatsi website devoted to. 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 s masterpiece is considered to be his book of lamentations. Apr 19, 2018 the book of lamentations narek holds a special place in the literary legacy that has reached us from st. 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 saint gregory s book of lamentations. Probably at about the same time gregory may have written this prayer that became incorporated in the book of lamentation. This golden age of the armenian civilization is personified by gregory of narek priest and poet, theologian and philosopher, monk and mystic. Prayer 75 of the book of lamentation michael papazian. Gregory of narek the book of narek grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a canonized saint. Born in armenia, his father was a priest remember, eastern.
Also known as narek, it is comprised of 95 prayers, each of which is titled conversation. 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 access to perfection. In the book of lamentations, narek does more than craft beautiful poem prayers. Customers who bought this item also bought the dream of gerontius. Nov 22, 2019 latvian orthodox church male choir logos performed a choral composition book of lamentations based on 10th century armenian monk, philosopher and poet st. Click here to view a flyer for more details the service will be very modest. Gregory of narek the book of narek the prayer is recited in armenian. Liturgical mysticism and chapter 33 of the book of lamentation of st grigor narekaci, rearm 26 1996, pp. Few details of gregorys life are known, but hints of the mans years of pain and suffering suffuse his writings, particularly his book of lamentations. Gregory entered narek monastery on the southeast shore of lake van at a young age. The book of lamentations is widely considered narekatsis masterpiece. Gregory came from a line of scholars and churchmen. Gregory of narek armenian apostolic church in richmond heights, ohio. Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi, 9501003, an armenian monk, the then newly announced doctor of the church, was a catholic.
Gregory of narek the good samaritan address to the monks. The first liturgical commemoration of saint gregory of narek is. Now, whoever believes in the healing prayers in this humble book, praying sincerely even if he be one of. Feast of st gregory of narek celebrated in vatican vatican news. He has taught modern and classical armenian at the university pennsylvania, columbia university and st. Gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Gregory of narek s book of lamentations under a lit candle and then invite everyone to silently mediate by reciting the jesus prayer. The piece was authored by young composer janis kirsis, armenias ambassador to latvia, lithuania and estonia tigran mkrtchyan informs. Armenia tv, september 28, 2001 the best translation of narekatsi in any language.
Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic. Healing power was attributed to the book, its authors name was sanctified and it was believed to. Gregory of narek is a mystic, and his greatest contribution to the church after his sainthood and prayers, is a book of poems. Apr 05, 2018 the narek is a masterpiece of intuitive and direct communion with god. Healing power was attributed to the book, its authors name was sanctified and it was believed to be intercessor before god for sinful souls.
The answer is clearly that he was not, making him the first noncatholic doctor of the catholic church. At the end of pope francis visit to armenia in june 2016, the pope was given a small statue of st. Each of narek s poems are entitled speaking with god from the depths of the heart, and the concept of speech is central to the work. The english translation flows, preserving the saint s lyrical poetry as if the translation came from st. Gregory of narek born circa 950 to a family of scholarly churchmen, st. Concert dedicated to the millenium anniversary of gregory. The background music are the church hymns of the armenian apostolic church compos. Pope francis declares armenian saint gregory of narek doctor. Gregory of narek catholic apostolate center feast days.
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