Gregory of narek is the first new doctor of the church appointed by pope francis. Saint gregory of narek doctor of the church book of 94 prayer book of lamentations. Gregory of narek sourp krikor naregatzi, is a towering figure in the armenian church who is best remembered for his book of lamentations. It includes 95 prayers and has been translated into more than 30 languages. And many even have no clue what is really narek about, not only they present it as inane repetitive monologues. It appears that grigor narekatsi is a man of many talents. Gregory of nareks classic, the book of lamentations, the matean oghbergutean needs no introduction. Through their gift for music and deep dedication to their work, they carry forward the beautiful tradition of armenian spiritual music at st.
He was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. The book is written in armenian and has been translated into many languages. In the section dedicated to the most accredited work of narekatsi, book of lamentations, you can find around ten translations, the list of which is always going to refill with new ones. Armenia tv, september 28, 2001 the best translation of narekatsi in any language. Commentary on the prayers and lamentations of grigor narekatsi. As a musician, narekatsi brought new life to the old school of the medieval armenian vocal art. Samuelian, thomas and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Gregory of narek was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and. Scholars have compared this book of worship with davids psalms and st. Gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a cannonized saint. 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.
Gregory entered narek monastery on the southeast shore of lake van at a young age. Written shortly before the first millennium of christianity, the prayers of st. Grigor narekatsi grigor narekatsi biography poem hunter. 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 of narek born circa 950 to a family of scholarly churchmen, st. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Gregory left this world in 1003, but his voice continues to speak to us. Book of lamentations by gregory of narek goodreads. His bestknown literary work is a book of prayers, known as the book of lamentations. The millennium of the book of lamentations, by grigor narekatsi. Gregory of narek armenian apostolic church in richmond heights, ohio, near cleveland, was built in 1964. Gregory narekatsi gregory narekatsi biography poem hunter.
He is best known for his book of lamentations, a major piece of mystical literature. Grigor narekatsi books list of books by author grigor. Gregory was born in the village of narek in the region of vaspourakan presentday van, eastern turkey. Gregory of narek church, and inspire the congregation toward. 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. Based in the monastery of narek narekavank, he was armenias first great poet. Hayots ashkhar, september 28, 2001 translated from the original. Shortly before the first millennium of christianity, narek monastery was a thriving center of learning. Taking into account the universal meaning of the work as well as broad coverage, our team has an aim of not only making the already existent translations. Book of prayer the book of lamentations translated by thomas j. Gregory of narek the book of narek grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a canonized saint. In the middle ages people considered the book of lamentations or narek as.
See all books authored by grigor narekatsi, including the armenian prayer book of st. He lost his mother very early, so he was educated by his cousin, anania of narek, who was the founder of the. Gregory of narek religionwiki fandom powered by wikia. Grigor narekatsi author of the armenian prayer book of st. Grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a canonized saint. 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. For narekatsi, peoples absolute goal in life should be to reach to god. The saint gregory of narek and the cultural center named. As a result, the difficulties of earthly life would disappear.
Hayots ashkhar, september 28, 2001 the best translation of narekatsi in any language. Doctor of the church, was a member of the monastery of narek on the shores of lake van, wrote his book of lamentations, commonly known as the book of prayers or narek, in 1002. Book of lamentations online armenian store buy armenian. The english translation flows, preserving the saints lyrical poetry as if the translation came from st. Hildegard of bingen and juan of avila, conferred by pope.
Indeed, this book is often known simply as narek, and it traditionally held a place in the armenian household hardly less honourable than that of the. Samuelian the christchild translated by alice stone blackwell see also. Gregory of narek is widely revered as one of the greatest figures of medieval armenian religious thought and literature. Biography of grigor narekatsi in armenian armenian poems by alice stone. Grigor narekatsi book of prayer armenian literature.
Gregory of narek have long been recognized as gems of christian literature. Gregorys genius is reflected in his masterpiece book of lamentations. Gregory of narek was a 10thcentury monk, poet and mystical writer and composer. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy or lamentation. Many see it as a rich reservoir of vocabulary, brilliant poetic verses, exclusive style of most sublime feelings. Gregory of narek is a mystic, and his greatest contribution to the church after his sainthood and prayers, is a book of poems. 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. Gregory of narek english and armenian edition 9789993085317 by narekatsi, grigor. It is considered a masterpiece of armenian literature. A leader of the welldeveloped school of written shortly before the first millenium of christianity, the prayers of st. His father, khosrov antsevatsi, bishop of the nearby province of antsevatsik. It is not easy to analyze the spirit of narek, a prayer book of st.
584 37 1509 395 1359 124 1454 479 983 591 1179 903 1459 199 653 1128 186 492 470 446 1130 654 900 879 655 1164 372 735