Grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into. His book of prayers or book of lamentations, a long mystical poem in 95 sections written around 977. Gregory called his book an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. Grigor narekatsi author of the armenian prayer book of st. Although the commentary on the song of songs is gregorys only surviving complete commentary on a biblical book, there is also a single. Program notes in english, and latin and russian vocal texts with english translations 15 p.
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. The vivid descriptions of jerusalems destruction likewise mean that its fall in 586 b. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical. Book of lamentations bible summary christianity oasis ministry has provided you with this book of lamentations bible study with the book of lamentations bible summary. Chapter 1a all verse 1b all verse 2 twentytwo verses. He is best known for his book of lamentations, a major piece of mystical literature. Book of lamentations in the context of legalphilosophical analysis. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits literally, book of prayer or matean voghbergutyan literally book of tragedy or lamentation. The lamentations of jeremiah reformed bible studies. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Tom constables expository notes on lamentations this is also available in the net.
Each chapter of the book is comprised of a poem making five poems in all. Summary of the book of lamentations the story of the. The book of lamentations was likely written between 586 and 575 b. The first 4 are marked by the acrostic use of the alphabet. Grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a cannonized saint. And with them, lord, grant me, contrition for my willfulness, and give them gracefilled inspiration through my voice. It was his hope that it would serve as a guide to prayer for people of all stations around the world. It is not among the most popular old testament books, but it repays careful study. The author offers a detailed study of grigor narekatsis conception of the main types of judicial trial. John ritenbaugh investigates the second chapter of lamentations, which reflects the emotional state of a stunned observer, realizing that god had wreaked havoc and destruction upon his chosen people, making them the focus of scorn and ridicule of all of th. Gregory of narek have long been recognized as gems of christian literature. The first two chapters have 22 verses each and are an acrostic.
The prominent lady among the nations has become a widow. The term threnoi is the plural form of a greek term meaning to cry aloud, which is indicative of the anguished nature of the book. Commentary on the prayers and lamentations of grigor narekatsi. The prayers of this page are selections from the book of lamentations. An introduction to the book of lamentations an argument of the book of lamentations selected bibliography of the book of lamentations j. Mystic soliloquies with god hardcover january 1, 1977 by grigor author 5. Although the poems are traditionally ascribed to the prophet jeremiah, this is unlikely. This the book of lamentations bible summary study on the book of lamentations bible summary quotes looks at the book of lamentations bible summary messages and asks what is the book of. Book of prayer is known in armenian as girk aghotits. The septuagint calls it threnoi ieremiou, lamentations of jeremiah. The prayers of this selection are divided into three groups.
The book, the work of his mature years remains one of the definitive pieces of armenian literature. In the hebrew old testament the book is entitled ekah, meaning how or alas, taken from the first verse. A leader of the welldeveloped school of written shortly before the first millenium of christianity, the prayers of st. Gregory of narek the book of narek grigor narekatsi or krikor, grigor naregatsi, 9511003 is a canonized saint. The best party game for smart entertainment with friends and family. The way of selfpurification is sincere confession of sins and that is what the poet chose, aspiring to clean with verbal. This article reveals the specificities of the description of the. Lamentations, book of international standard bible. Jeremiah, who was also known as the weeping prophet, wrote this book soon after the raid of jerusalem by babylon in 586 b. For narekatsi, peoples absolute goal in life should be to reach to god. Cultural autonomy theough hellenisation and christianisation. The millennium of the book of lamentations, by grigor narekatsi. New brief explanation of the prayer book narek with cautious commentaries, venice, 1801.
As a result, the difficulties of earthly life would disappear. The book of lamentation by grigor narekatsi, monk of the narek monastery, smyrna, 1843. As a result of judahs continued and unrepentant idolatry, god allowed the babylonians to besiege, plunder, burn, and destroy the city of jerusalem. The little book consists of 5 lamentations, each one forming the contents of a chapter.
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. On april 12, 1015, pope francis officially proclaimed gregory of narek as a doctor of the church. Isaac, says moses of chorene, made a translation of the bible from the syriac text about 411. There are a number of helpful commentaries on this book, and the following are five of the best. The first four prayers are included in the breviary of the armenian apostolic church, at the end of the office of the hour of rest, and are followed by st nerses the gracefilleds famous. Grigor narekatsi speaking with god from the depths of the heart. The princess who once ruled the provinces has become a forced laborer. The book of lamentations was written soon after the fall of jerusalem in 586 b. Gregory of narek or grigor narekatsi was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian and saint of the armenian apostolic church and catholic church. Some view the last chapter of jeremiah as an introduction to lamentations.
Text of 1st work from the lamentations of jeremiah. In the hebrew bible it appears in the ketuvim writings, beside the song of songs, book of ruth, ecclesiastes and the book of esther the megilot or five scrolls, although there is no set order. Completed towards the end of his life, circa 100203, the work has been described as a monologue, a personal lyric and confessional poem, mystical and meditative. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical orthography grigor narekatsi on. She has no one to comfort her among all her lovers. Commentary of the prayer book by saint grigor narekatsi, vol. He was an armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. The entire book of lamentations is poetic in its form. He is the author of mystical interpretation on the song of songs and numerous poetic. The armenian bible is due to saint mesrobs early 5th century translation.
See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Gregory of narek have long been recognized as gems of. The book of lamentations is a collection of five poems that serve as an anguished response to the destruction of jerusalem in 587 b. Grigor narekatsi, book of lamentations, armenian classical orthography. The septuagint the greek translation of the old testament gives this prefix. The prayer book entitled the book of lamentations is the crown of narekatsi s creation and it was translated into many languages. The book of lamentations has been billed as a natural supplement to the book of jeremiah.
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. Lamentations is anonymous, al though ancient jewish and early christian traditions ascribe it to jeremiah. There are several translations into eastern and western armenian languages eastern armenian translations made by mkrtich kheranian and vazgen gevorkian, western armenian translations made by bishop torgom. Saint gregory of narek also called grigor narekatsi was born in the city of. Fun facts about the book of lamentations only one hope. Following the book of jeremiah lies lamentations, a poetic work by the weeping prophet, which is full of instruction but is seldom read or preached. See 2 kgs 25 for a prose account of the fall of jerusalem. The first monument of armenian literature is the version of the holy scriptures. Release the flow of tears from those who study this book, and instill in them the desire to repent. Although the poems are traditionally ascribed to the prophet jeremiah. The book of lamentation by grigor narekatsi, monk of the narek monastery, venice, 1833. Grigor narekatsi book of prayer armenian literature. Book of lamentations bible book of lamentations bible.