St. Gregory of Narek

Saint Gregory of Narek was an Armenian Abbot who lived at the end of the 10th century. Even though little is known about his life, much of his literary work survives today. Gregory penned many works and commentaries throughout his life, including commentaries on the Song of Songs and the Book of Job. His most famous piece is the mystical compilation of prayers titled Book of Lamentations. This piece includes 95 prayers written as a long poem, discussing the pursuit of perfection and the inability to achieve it. It is considered a masterpiece of Armenian literature, and recently it has been translated into many languages. "I am a living book/Written like the scroll in the vision of Ezekiel/Inside and out, Listing lamentations, moaning, and woe." -Book of Lamentations