St Gregory of Narek: Mystic, Poet, Doctor of the Church

The tenth century Armenian monk’s Book of Lamentations (also known as The Narek or Book of Prayers or Speaking with God from the depths of the Heart) immediately occupied a pre-eminence in Armenian literature and spirituality which it has never lost. The prayers express the ecstatic distress of the heart, convinced of its sinful and creaturely unworthiness, overwhelmed by God’s loving condescension. As a doctor or teacher of the Universal Church, his work, with its specifically eastern cultural and theological ethos, is now recognised as inspiration for all. On April 12, 2015 Pope Francis officially declared St Gregory of Narek a Doctor of the Universal Church, following a pronouncement of his intentions on February 21st. The recognition coincided with the marking of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.