Madyan Voghperkutyun (Krikor Naregatsi, 1858)
Name/Title
Madyan Voghperkutyun (Krikor Naregatsi, 1858)Secondary Title
Սրբոյ հօրն մերոյ Գրիգորի Նարեկայ Վանից վանականի Մատեան ողբերգութեան. Book of Lamentations.Description
The Book of Lamentations (Մատյան ողբերգության, Matean Oghbergutyan) by Gregory of Narek, completed in 1002, is one of the most significant works in Armenian literature and spirituality. It is a deeply personal collection of 95 prayers written in poetic form, consisting of over 10,000 lines. The text serves as an intimate dialogue between the author and God, exploring themes of sin, repentance, divine love, and the human condition. Gregory of Narek portrays himself as a sinner pleading for forgiveness and spiritual renewal, making the work universally relatable despite its roots in 10th-century Armenian Christianity. The language is rich and evocative, filled with metaphors and symbolic imagery that alternate between expressions of deep personal anguish and exalted praise of God. The work's emotional depth and theological insight have ensured its place as a cornerstone of Armenian culture and spirituality. The Book of Lamentations has a significant historical legacy. It reflects the theological and cultural richness of medieval Armenia and has been revered for centuries as a spiritual guide. It was first published in parts in Venice in 1513, with the complete text printed in Marseille in 1673. Gregory of Narek was canonized by the Armenian Apostolic Church and, in 2015, was declared a Doctor of the Church by the Roman Catholic Church. Today, the Book of Lamentations remains widely read and appreciated for its universal exploration of human suffering and the longing for divine connection, transcending its religious context to resonate with readers across cultures and beliefs.Category
Books