Gregory of Narek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grigor Narekatsi (or Krikor Naregatsi) (951–1003) was an Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. Almost all of his life he lived in the monasteries of Narek (in Greater Armenia, now Turkey) where he taught at the monastic school. He is the author of mystical interpretation on Song of Songs (977) and numerous poetic writings. Naregatsi's poetry is deeply biblical and is penetrated with images, themes and realities of sacred history, distinguished with intimate, personal character. The mystical poem "Book of Lamentations" (published in 1673 in Marseille) has been translated into many languages and has played a significant role in the development of the Armenian literary language.