"Most beloved work of Armenian literature"

Grigor Narekats'i (Gregory of Narek). [Matean oghbergut'ean - Book of Lamentations]. Narek girk': girk' [aghot'its'] asats'eal Srboyn Grigori Narekats'woy hreshtakakan vardapeti.

€ 12,500.00

Scarce edition of the most important Armenian text after the Bible itself: the "Book of Lamentations", called "one of the world's great mystical poems" (Evans) which laid the foundations of Armenian literature and religious philosophy. Gregory of Narek (951-1003 CE) was an Armenian saint and leading writer of the Armenian Church; while also famous for his commentary on the Song of Songs, the influence of his Book of Lamentations - a compilation of prayers addressed directly to God - is unmatched. Often referred to simply as 'Narek', the book first appeared in print in 1701, after which its popularity only grew. At the turn of the century, the widespread appreciation for the work, and its role in folk traditions, was even noted in the writings of the former Armenian Orthodox Patriarch, Malachia Ormanian: "For private prayers there is also used a book called Narek, composed by the monk St. Grigor of Narek. This collection, which is written in a florid and sublime style, is regarded as a potent talisman against all kinds of dangers" (p. 177). Generally hailed as the "most beloved work of Armenian literature" (Hacikyan), this early copy, with its gilt-decorated binding and woodcut borders and initials, is a lovely example of an important literary and religious tradition. The 1782 Istanbul ("Kostandnowpolis") edition is quite scarce, with only five copies available in institutions worldwide (SB Berlin, Harvard, UCLA, Library of Congress, and National Library of Israel, the latter two copies incomplete).