St. Gregory of Narek

Their story

Gregory of Narek was born around 950 in Armenia, the son of a bishop. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised and educated at the monastery of Narek, near Lake Van, in what is now eastern Turkey. He became a monk and a priest there and spent nearly his whole life in that monastery, teaching, praying and writing. Gregory is one of the greatest poets in the history of the Armenian people. His masterpiece is a book of ninety-five prayers often called the Book of Lamentations, or "Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart." In it Gregory speaks honestly of his own weakness and sin, and with even greater force of God's mercy and love. He wrote these prayers, he said, not only for himself but for everyone, so that anyone who prays them might find their own voice before God. For a thousand years Armenians have kept his book close, praying from it in times of sickness and sorrow. Gregory also wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs, hymns and other works. He died around the year 1003 and is honored as a saint by the Armenian Church. In 2015 Pope Francis declared him a Doctor of the Church, and in 2021 his feast was added to the calendar of the whole Church. His prayers remind us that we can bring everything to God, even our deepest wounds, and trust in His mercy.