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 of narek have long been recognized as gems of christian literature. Book of prayers book of lamentations written shortly before the first millennium of christianity, the prayers of st. There he devoted much of his time to prayer and writing. In it the penitent is made aware of the total otherness of god and of humanitys utter dependence on god, who is the source of all reality. Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 95b by haik hakopian. After that i plan to devote myself to this longer commentary on the book of lamentations. Gregory s major work, the book of lamentation, popularly known as narek, is a prayer book still much venerated. I had just seen reference made to gregory of narek in another book i was reading i had never heard of him and bought this book out of.
Gregory of nareks prized works, his book of prayers and lamentations, gave way to multiple publications. The book of prayers, or book of lamentations, is a collection of 95 poems. Nersess seminary, and features dramatic recreations of gregory and his world. Saint gregory of narek, an extraordinary interpreter of the human soul, offers words which are prophetic for us. He is best known for his book of lamentations, a major piece of mystical. Although the poems are traditionally ascribed to the prophet jeremiah. Gregory received his education under the guidance of his father, bishop khosrov, author of the earliest commentary. Join us every thursday for womens bible study 11am 12pm topic. Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 95a by haik hakopian.
He is a saint of the armenian apostolic church and was declared a doctor of the church by pope francis in 2015 the son of a bishop, narekatsi was educated by a relative based at the narekavank, the monastery of narek. The conference was the second international symposium organized in recent years to commemorate the millennium of st. Mesrops interview to armenia tvs zham show, june 16, 2019. May 31, 2018 potsdam, germany a revolutionary technology developed in germany has made it possible to reconstruct an early version of saint gregory of nareks book of prayers or lamentations, conserved in the matenadaran in yerevan. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. His father, khosrov antsevatsi, served as a bishop and theologian of the armenian church. He became a priest at the age of 25 and lived almost all of his life in the monastery of narek where he taught at the monastic school. His most wellknown literary work is a book of prayers, known as the book of lamentations. Jun 30, 2016 translated and annotated by abraham tertian, the festal works of st. He called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Revered for a thousand years, the book is so closely identified.
Gregory of narek s classic, the book of lamentations, the matean oghbergutean needs no introduction. 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. Book of lamentations read, study bible verses online. Saint gregory of narek also called grigor narekatsi was born in the city of. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical orthography grigor narekatsi on. Composer alfred schnittkes concerto for mixed chorus in classical armenian version grabar was performed for the first time in vatican on april 5. Gregory of narek the book of narek grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a canonized saint. The book of lamentations, a long mystical poem in 95 sections written by saint gregory of the monastery of narek 9511003 ad, is familiar to virtually all armenians, yet few can say they fully understand this piece of literature that uses old armenian, grabar.
Gregory did make several pilgrimages throughout the near east. Two days ago the presentation of the latvian translation of gregory of nareks book of lamentations took place, followed by a photo exhibition of. A part of the concerto was performed by deacon hovhannes nersesyan with the mirzoyan quartet, armenpress. Saint gregory of narek also called grigor narekatsi was born in the city of narek in presentday turkey in 951. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Pdf book of lamentation matean olbergutean has been presented. He was renowned for his mystical poems and hymns, biblical commentaries, and sacred elegies. Nersess armenian seminary devoted to theological inquiry in the service of the armenian church st. Gregory was born about 950 to a family dedicated to the church. Findikyan lectures at international narek conference in. A systematic presentation of the essentials of eastern orthodoxy orthodox church in america. Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 1a haik hakopian. Oct 15, 2002 gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. 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.
Gregory of nareks book of lamentations, noting that st. Title lamentations was derived from a translation of the title as found in the latin vulgate vg. As the world observed the 100th anniversary of the armenian genocide in the ottoman empire, pope francis concelebrated a mass at the vatican with patriarch nerses bedros xix tarmouni and declared this monk, poet, and saint of the armenian apostolic church a doctor of. Gregory of nareks masterpiece,prayer book of lamentations in. 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. Gregory of nareks book of lamentations has several. Potsdam, germany a revolutionary technology developed in germany has made it possible to reconstruct an early version of saint gregory of narek s book of prayers or lamentations, conserved in the matenadaran in yerevan. The book of lamentations is a collection of five poems that serve as an anguished response to the destruction of jerusalem in 587 b. Gregory came from a line of scholars and churchmen.
Gregory of narek book of lamentations prayer 2c youtube. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits. Alfred schnittkes concerto with original text of st. Shortly before the first millennium of christianity, narek monastery was a thriving center of learning. We have referred several times to his commentary on the song of songs, which dr. There are a number of helpful commentaries on this book, and the following are five of the best. Commentary on the prayers and lamentations of grigor. George armenian church, hartford, connecticut on saturday, november 22, 2003, at 2. As a result, the difficulties of earthly life would disappear. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical orthography. Piecing together the words of a saint the armenian mirror. While the first complete commentary was published in constantinople in.
Gregory of narek is a mystic, and his greatest contribution to the church after his sainthood and prayers, is a book of poems. Gregory entered narek monastery on the southeast shore of lake van at a young age. Grigor narekatsi book of prayer armenian literature. Gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. 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. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or. Beginning each prayer with the incantation speaking with god from the depths of the heart, he referred to himself as a living book prayer 39b and to his book as a compendium of. He was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. Gregory of narek have long been recognized as gems of. Gregory of narek sourp krikor naregatzi, is a towering figure in the armenian church who is best remembered for his book of lamentations. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy or lamentation. Best known for book of lamentations or book of prayer. It is commonly called narek, or the prayer book, and was published in 1673 in marseille, and later translated into at least 30 languages. The book of lamentations was written soon after the fall of jerusalem in 586 b.
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 was declared a doctor of the universal church by pope francis in 2015. This golden age of the armenian civilization is personified by gregory of narek priest and poet, theologian and philosopher, monk and mystic. Piecing together the words of a saint the armenian. Findikyan, who was the only speaker from the united states, gave a lecture entitled, another holy communion. Gregory of narek was a 10th century armenian monk, poet, and mystical writer and composer. Gregory is said to have worked many miracles and counseled many people.
Gregory of narek is widely revered as one of the greatest figures of medieval armenian religious thought and literature. On april 12, 1015, pope francis officially proclaimed gregory of narek as a doctor of the church. See 2 kgs 25 for a prose account of the fall of jerusalem. Jeremiah considers himself as part of these people but thereby repents and puts his hope in spite of all mourning in god. His writings include a commentary on the song of songs also known as the song of solomon or the canticles, and his book of lamentations, also. It is not among the most popular old testament books, but it repays careful study. Lamentations with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The great armenian mystical poet and his prayer book of lamentations the orthodox faith. Lament 1 jerusalems plight the prophet bewails it 111 the city. The work is a manuscript dating back to the th14th century, and is one of the earliest copies of the 10th century original, which has been lost. It is perhaps the most wellknown text written in the armenian language.
Pdf book of lamentation matean olbergutean has been presented by specialists as a literary asteroid that fell from the sky into armenian. Gregory of narek is known for his various poetic writings, especially a book of prayers entitled book of lamentations. Gregory of narek is the author of many works, his fame rests upon the book of lamentations, a collection of ninetyfive. Illustration from the oldest extant copy of the book of lamentations. Roberta ervine, associate professor of armenian studies at st. Gregory of nareks book of lamentation into the vernacular from the rare text of the classical armenian, published in 1858, is also included. This summary of the book of lamentations provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of lamentations.
Gregory of narek born circa 950 to a family of scholarly churchmen, st. Julian old and gregorian new calendars are treated after the new calendar was adopted in 1923 by the armenian church. Like samuelians translation, however, it too is a book that should capture the interest of poets and general readers seeking deep spiritual reading for reflection. Healing power was attributed to the book, its authors name was sanctified and it was believed to. A leader of the welldeveloped school of written shortly before the first millenium of christianity, the prayers of st. It was there that he wrote his masterpiece of spiritual poetry, known as the book of lamentations or narek. His lifetime coincided with a kind of armenian golden age, a cultural renaissance when learning, art. Gregory of nareks classic, the book of lamentations, the matean oghbergutean needs no introduction. Gregory of narek 9511003 set out, with much trepidation, on a sublime mission to translate the pure sighs of the broken and contrite heart 1 into an offering of words pleasing to god. A monk of the monastery of narek in armenia, st gregory 9511003 was a spiritual luminary in his homeland towards the end of the first christian millennium. Saint gregory narekatzi, also called gregory of narek, born 951died 1003. The lamentations are the expression of a heart full of love for the earthly people of jehovah, a people punished for their sins by loosing their kingdom, their land, their city and their sanctuary. Gregory s genius is reflected in his masterpiece book of lamentations. Mystic soliloquies with god hardcover january 1, 1977 by grigor author 5.
A major prose work was commentary on the song of songs. Nersess armenian seminary in new rochelle, ny, will be the featured speaker at st. Gregory of narek will be of greatest interest to scholars in the fields of religion, history, and literature. Grigor narekatsi author of the armenian prayer book of st. Scholars have compared this book of worship with davids psalms and st. The basic theme of the book is a lament over the terrible woes which have befallen sinful judah and the destruction of the holy city and the temple of god. Commentary on the prayers and lamentations of grigor narekatsi. Each chapter, however, does not stand on its own, but falls into a series making the book one complete, progressive thought. I was completely unaware of their existence and was quite touched by what i began to read. Gregory of narek armenian apostolic church in richmond heights. Latvian orthodox church male choir logos performed a choral composition book of lamentations based on 10th century armenian monk, philosopher and poet st. It is considered a masterpiece of armenian literature. Book of lamentations, you can find around ten translations, the list of. 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.
The work is a manuscript dating back to the th14th century, and is one of the earliest copies of the 10th. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a cannonized saint. Gregory of nareks classic, the book of lamentations, the. Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic church. St gregory himself defined the work as an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. The importance of his writings to religion in armenia is unparalleled. For narekatsi, peoples absolute goal in life should be to reach to god. Gregory lived most of his life at the monastery at narek in armenia. The piece was authored by young composer janis kirsis, armenias ambassador to latvia, lithuania and estonia tigran mkrtchyan informs. 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. Gregory of narek was a tenthcentury armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, and a theologian. 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 bible.
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