Gregory of Narek
Grigor Narekatsi (Armenian: Գրիգոր Նարեկացի; anglicized as Gregory of Narek; c. 950 – 1003/1011) was an Armenian mystical and lyrical poet, monk, and theologian. He is venerated as a saint in the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015.
Gregory of Narek | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Gregory from an 1173 manuscript from Cilician Armenia | |
| Doctor of the Church | |
| Born | c. 945–951 |
| Residence | Narek Monastery, Kingdom of Vaspurakan |
| Died | c. 1003–1011 (aged ≈60) |
| Venerated in | |
| Major shrine | Chapel-Mausoleum at Narek Monastery |
| Feast |
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| Influences | Neoplatonism, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite |
| Influenced | All Armenian literature, especially verse: Nerses Shnorhali, Sayat-Nova, Yeghishe Charents |
| Major works | Book of Lamentations (Narek) |
The son of a bishop, Gregory was educated, ordained, and later stationed at Narekavank on the southern shores of Lake Van (modern Turkey). Scholars consider Gregory the most beloved and significant theological and literary figure of the Armenian religious tradition.
He is best known for his Book of Lamentations, a significant piece of mystical literature which serves as a confessional prayer book in many Armenian religious households. His works have inspired many Armenian literary figures and influenced Armenian literature in general throughout the ages.