ST. GREGORY of NAREG - (Krikor Naregatzi Vartabed 945-1010 A.D.) One of the spiritual glories of the province of Vaspurakan and indeed of Armenia generally, is the mystical writer Gregory of Nareg, author of the" Book of Lamentations ". Gregory of Nareg was born about 945 , and was educated at the monastery of Narek, South of Lake Van. At Narek, Gregory was placed under the care of his great-uncle Anania, and grew up in an atmosphere of great intellectual and religious fervour, in contact with the best products of Greek and also perhaps of Arabic philosophy.
St. Gregory’s most famous work is the Book of Lamentations (or: Prayers, Elegies ). This consist of ninety-five separate Lamentations or canticles, put together rather like the Psalms of David to form a connected whole. The Lamentations are written in rhythmic prose, sometimes free verse, and are breathless and tumultuous in their passionate outpouring. Sometimes Gregory appears to be wrestling with his God, like some doughty Jacob of old; sometimes he is imploring a Deity who seems to have left him lonely and forsaken, like Job abandoned in the land of Uz . But the final tone of the Lamentations is optimistic, even triumphant !!! His masterpiece, the Book of Lamentations, called NAREG, in which his universal genius has been displayed, has been translated into at least thirty languages. St. Krikor Naregatzi is considered the greatest poet of the Armenian Nation, and the first and greatest mystic. His style and command of the Armenian language cannot be excelled and his saintly person has been an inspiration to the Armenian faithful for centuries. Numerous miracles and traditions have been attributed to the saint and perhaps that is why he is referred to as "the watchful angel in human form".
Have a comment, contribution or suggestion? Click here and send it to us
|
