This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color purple .
Saint Gregory of Narek, an Armenian monk, mystic, and poet, is revered as a Doctor of the Church for his profound theological insights and deeply spiritual writings, especially his "Book of Lamentations," which profoundly influenced Christian spirituality.
Saint Gregory of Narek, who lived from approximately 950 to 1003 AD, was an Armenian monastic priest, theologian, and mystical poet, primarily known for his seminal work, the "Book of Lamentations," also known as "Narek." This book, a collection of 95 prayers, is a profound expression of repentance, faith, and hope, demonstrating a deep understanding of human sinfulness and divine mercy, and has been a cornerstone of Armenian spiritual life for centuries. Canonized by the Armenian Apostolic Church, he was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church by Pope Francis in 2015, recognizing his extraordinary theological and spiritual contributions that transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries, thereby enriching the entire Christian patrimony with his profound and poetic expressions of faith and human longing for God.
Saint Gregory of Narek, a towering figure in Christian spirituality and a Doctor of the Universal Church, was born around the year 950 AD in the historic province of Andzevatsik, then a part of the Armenian Kingdom of Vaspurakan. His lineage was one steeped in ecclesiastical tradition; his father, Khosrov, served as an archbishop, and his maternal uncle, Anania of Narek, was a renowned scholar, philosopher, and the founder and abbot of the prestigious Narek Monastery. Orphaned at a young age, Gregory was entrusted to the care of his uncle and raised within the monastic walls of Narek, a vibrant center of intellectual and spiritual life. This environment provided the fertile ground for his extraordinary talents to blossom, immersing him from his earliest years in the rich tapestry of Armenian Christian thought and ascetic practices.
Under the tutelage of his uncle Anania, Gregory received an unparalleled education, delving deeply into the sacred Scriptures, the writings of the Church Fathers, classical philosophy, and the vast treasury of Armenian literature. He quickly distinguished himself through his intellectual acumen, profound piety, and remarkable poetic gift. Embracing the monastic life fully, he was ordained a priest and dedicated his existence to prayer, rigorous study, and the arduous work of writing within the tranquil confines of Narek Monastery. His days were spent in contemplation, penning hymns, commentaries, and theological treatises that would eventually solidify his reputation as one of Armenia's most brilliant minds and spiritual giants. His monastic discipline and intellectual pursuits were inseparable, forming the crucible in which his unique spiritual vision was forged.
Gregory’s enduring legacy is most powerfully manifested in his magnum opus, the *Girk Katoghik*, universally known as the *Book of Lamentations* or simply *Narek*. Composed towards the end of his life, between 1001 and 1002 AD, this monumental work is a collection of 95 deeply personal and evocative prayers. Far from being mere petitions, these prayers are profound meditations on the human condition, expressing an agonizing awareness of sinfulness, an unyielding hope in God’s infinite mercy, and an ardent longing for mystical union with the Divine. Gregory's poetic genius is on full display, employing rich imagery, intricate metaphors, and a profound emotional intensity that resonates with the deepest stirrings of the human soul. The *Book of Lamentations* is structured as a dialogue between the soul and God, a confession of human fragility, and a testament to the transformative power of divine love.
The *Book of Lamentations* quickly transcended its monastic origins to become a foundational text in Armenian spirituality, revered as a source of comfort, guidance, and profound insight into the mysteries of faith. It is not uncommon for Armenians to keep a copy of *Narek* in their homes, turning to its prayers in times of distress or spiritual seeking, much like a Christian might turn to the Psalms. Beyond this masterpiece, Saint Gregory also authored other significant works that underscore his theological depth and literary versatility. These include insightful commentaries on the Song of Songs and the Book of Job, numerous odes (known as *gandzer*), and liturgical hymns (*sharagans*), all of which exhibit his mastery of language and his profound grasp of Scripture and Christian doctrine. His writings consistently emphasize the transformative power of repentance and the boundless compassion of God, inviting believers to a deeper, more intimate relationship with their Creator.
Saint Gregory of Narek’s theological contributions are marked by a deep Christocentrism and a profound understanding of the Incarnation as the pivotal event in salvation history. He delved into the paradoxes of human existence, acknowledging both the profound fallenness of humanity and its innate capacity for divinization through grace. His mystical insights are particularly striking, articulating the inexpressible longing for God and the transformative encounter with the Divine. Gregory's ability to bridge intellectual rigor with fervent spirituality, and to express complex theological truths through deeply personal and poetic language, makes him a unique figure. His writings resonate universally, transcending the specific cultural and linguistic context of his time, and speak to the core human experience of sin, repentance, and the yearning for God. This universal appeal is precisely what led to his broader recognition within the Catholic Church.
For centuries, Saint Gregory of Narek has been venerated as a saint within the Armenian Apostolic Church, a spiritual beacon guiding his people through periods of immense challenge and persecution. His profound influence reached a new zenith on February 23, 2015, when Pope Francis, recognizing his extraordinary theological and spiritual contributions that enrich the entire Christian patrimony, officially declared him a Doctor of the Universal Church. This historic declaration, the first for an Armenian saint, underscored Gregory's ecumenical significance and his role as a bridge between the Eastern and Western traditions of Christianity. His feast day is now observed on February 27. Saint Gregory of Narek's enduring legacy lies in his powerful articulation of human brokenness and divine mercy, offering a timeless path to repentance, spiritual healing, and a deeper union with Christ for all believers, a testament to the enduring power of his profound faith and unparalleled literary genius. He remains a beloved spiritual guide, inviting all to enter into the depths of prayer and encounter the boundless love of God.
In the hallowed halls of Narek Monastery, where Saint Gregory dedicated his life to prayer and scholarship, a subtle undercurrent of envy sometimes stirred among certain monks. Gregory, known for his profound spiritual insights and intense devotion, was sometimes misunderstood by those who could not fathom the depths of his sanctity. It was during the rigorous season of Great Lent, a time of strict fasting and abstinence, that a particularly malicious rumor began to circulate. Some jealous monks, seeking to discredit Gregory and perhaps elevate themselves, accused him of breaking the Lenten fast by secretly consuming meat.
The accusation reached Gregory, who, with his characteristic humility and serene composure, made no elaborate defense. Instead, he simply invited his accusers to witness a simple act. They had allegedly found evidence of his transgression—a cooked pigeon, a forbidden meal during Lent. With unwavering faith and without a word of reproach, Gregory took the cooked bird, which had been brought forth as proof of his supposed sin. He then walked calmly to the monastery's hot oven, used for baking bread.
To the astonishment and disbelief of the onlookers, Gregory, with a prayerful gaze directed heavenward, placed the cooked pigeon directly into the searing heat of the oven. The monks watched, some with smug satisfaction, others with genuine curiosity, expecting the bird to be further consumed by the flames. But what unfolded before their eyes was nothing short of a divine marvel. Moments later, as Gregory opened the oven door, the pigeon, no longer cooked but vibrantly alive and restored to its full form, flew out of the intense heat, soaring gracefully into the sky and disappearing from sight.
A profound silence fell upon the monastery courtyard, quickly followed by gasps of awe and fervent repentance. The envious monks, witnessing this undeniable miracle, fell to their knees, begging Gregory's forgiveness for their slander and doubt. This extraordinary event served not only to vindicate Saint Gregory but also to reveal the immense grace and divine favor that rested upon him. It solidified his reputation not merely as a scholar and a mystic, but as a true saint, whose purity of heart and unwavering faith could even reverse the laws of nature, demonstrating God's power through His humble servant.
c. 1001-1002 AD
From the depths of my heart, I lift up this lamentation, as a prayer of confession, to you, O Lord, who are the source of all being.
Indeed, I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned more than any other being, I have transgressed your commandments, I have rebelled against your will, I have despised your grace, I have mocked your patience, I have abused your kindness, I have rejected your love, I have forgotten your benefits, I have ignored your warnings, I have scorned your invitations, I have refused your counsel, I have turned away from your light, I have embraced darkness, I have chosen evil over good, falsehood over truth, death over life.
My sins are innumerable, my transgressions are countless, my iniquities are beyond measure. They rise higher than the mountains, they are deeper than the seas, they are more numerous than the sands of the shore, more abundant than the drops of rain. My heart is a fountain of wickedness, my mind a den of evil thoughts, my tongue a sword of deceit, my hands instruments of injustice, my feet swift to mischief.
I am a vessel of corruption, a dwelling place of demons, a companion of sinners, a friend of the unrighteous, an enemy of truth, a foe of righteousness. I am a child of wrath, a heir of perdition, a candidate for eternal fire. My soul is defiled, my spirit is wounded, my conscience is burdened, my memory is darkened, my will is enslaved, my reason is blinded.
I am a broken cistern that holds no water, a withered tree that bears no fruit, a barren field that yields no harvest, a lamp without oil, a star without light, a cloud without rain. I am a lost sheep, a straying lamb, a prodigal son, a runaway servant, a rebellious subject, a faithless spouse.
Yet, O Lord, my God, my Creator, my Redeemer, my Sustainer, my Hope, my Salvation, my Life, my Light, my Strength, my Refuge, my Shield, my Portion, my All! You are merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. You do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he turn from his way and live. You are good to all, and your mercy is over all that you have made. You are faithful to your promises, and just in all your ways. You are a God who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin.
Therefore, with a contrite heart and a humble spirit, I prostrate myself before your glorious majesty, confessing my guilt, acknowledging my unworthiness, lamenting my blindness, bewailing my folly, deploring my wretchedness, imploring your clemency. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Look upon my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Guard my soul, and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Forgive me, O Lord, forgive me! Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.
See my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Guard my soul, and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. And finally, O Lord, I pray for all those who are oppressed, for all who suffer, for all who are in distress, for all who are persecuted for your name's sake. Grant them strength, comfort, and deliverance. Remember your Church, O Lord, and bring her to perfection in your love. Unite all who believe in you, that they may be one, even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.
To you, O Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
April 12, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
Today, the second Sunday of Easter, which St. John Paul II wished to dedicate to Divine Mercy, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the faithful of the Armenian Catholic Church. I offer a most cordial welcome to you all, and I thank you for your presence. I extend a special greeting to His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, Patriarch, and to the Armenian Bishops.
The Word of God this Sunday proposes to us the theme of mercy. It is mercy that brings joy to our hearts, that makes us feel truly forgiven and at peace. This is the truth of Easter, which we proclaim in this Divine Liturgy. The mercy of God, which in Jesus Christ embraces all humanity, is the greatest proclamation of the Gospel.
In the history of your people, you have experienced the depths of human suffering. At this Mass, we remember the centenary of that tragic event, the Armenian Genocide, the 'Metz Yeghern,' the great evil, that befell your people. It is a duty to honor the memory of those who fell, and it is a duty to condemn the evil that caused such suffering. To ignore evil is to allow it to fester. It is a duty to remember, because where there is no memory, evil continues to be open. Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to continue to bleed without bandaging it.
We have heard the Gospel account of the Apostle Thomas, who was unwilling to believe in the resurrection of the Lord unless he saw and touched His wounds. Thomas, like us, needed to touch the mercy of God. And Jesus, in His boundless compassion, showed him His wounds, the signs of His love that conquered sin and death. These wounds are the doors through which the mercy of God enters our hearts.
Today, we also celebrate the proclamation of Saint Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Universal Church. Saint Gregory lived in the 10th century, a time of great spiritual and cultural flourishing for Armenia. He was a monk, a mystic, a theologian, a poet, and a great master of prayer. His 'Book of Lamentations,' or 'Narek,' is a masterpiece of Christian spirituality, a profound dialogue between man and God, where the human soul, aware of its weakness and sin, pours out its sorrow and its ardent desire for divine mercy.
Gregory of Narek is a universal saint, a Doctor of the Church, not only for Armenians but for the entire Church. His teaching is relevant for us today. He teaches us that the only true path to God is through sincere repentance and humble confession of our sins. He shows us that the merciful love of God is always greater than our sins, greater than our weaknesses, greater than our fears.
His prayers are a profound expression of the human heart's longing for God. He teaches us to pray with tears, to pray with courage, to pray with trust, even when we feel overwhelmed by our sins and miseries. He reminds us that God is always ready to forgive, always ready to embrace us, always ready to restore us to life.
Saint Gregory of Narek is a master of prayer because he experienced the boundless mercy of God in his own life. He understood that mercy is the very essence of God, the foundation of His being. And he taught us that true prayer is not just asking for things, but entering into a relationship of profound communion with God, who is mercy itself.
His spirituality is a spirituality of hope. Even in the deepest darkness of sin and suffering, he never lost hope in God's mercy. He knew that God's love is stronger than death, stronger than evil, stronger than all our human limitations. He reminds us that even when we feel lost and abandoned, God is always there, waiting for us with open arms.
Today, as we commemorate the tragic events of the past, we also celebrate the triumph of God's mercy. The Armenian people, who have suffered so much, are a people of faith, a people of hope. They have preserved their Christian identity through centuries of persecution, thanks to the grace of God and the intercession of their saints, among whom Saint Gregory of Narek shines brightly.
May the intercession of Saint Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, help us all to draw closer to God, to experience His boundless mercy, and to become instruments of His love and peace in the world. May we learn from him to pray with a contrite heart, to trust in God's forgiveness, and to live lives that bear witness to His saving grace. Amen.
The widespread spiritual practice of reading from and meditating upon Saint Gregory of Narek's 'Book of Lamentations' (Girk Katoghik or Narek), often used for personal prayer, seeking divine mercy, and for intercession, particularly within Armenian Christian homes and communities.
This 'Book of Lamentations' is Saint Gregory of Narek's most significant and influential literary and spiritual work, a profound collection of 95 prayers that has served as a cornerstone of Armenian spiritual life and is revered for its theological depth and poetic expression of human longing for God and His mercy.
Commemorative liturgical services and special homilies in Armenian Catholic and Armenian Apostolic churches, including those in the United States, that focus on his life, theological contributions, and the significance of his declaration as a Doctor of the Universal Church.
As a revered saint and now a Doctor of the Church, his feast day is an occasion for the Church to formally honor his memory and contributions through prayer and reflection on his spiritual legacy, encouraging the faithful to emulate his virtues and learn from his writings.