Doctors of the Church: St. Gregory of Narek

Gregory was born in the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan in what is now Turkey. His father, Bishop Khosrov, authored a commentary on the Divine Liturgy, and Gregory was raised in a devout home. Upon the death of their mother, he and two of his brothers entered monastic life at a young age, and Gregory was ordained a priest around age 25. Commissioned by a prince, one of his first major works was Commentary on the Song of Songs, which has been celebrated for its clarity and theology. His masterpiece, a collection of 95 prayers which he described as “encyclopedia of prayer for all nations,” is his Book of Lamentations, or Prayer Book.

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