2022 Catholic Media Association honorable mention in prayer: collections of prayers

St. Gregory of Narek (ca. 945-1003), Armenian mystic poet and theologian, was named Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis on April 12, 2015. Not so well known in the West, the saint holds a distinctive place in the Armenian Church by virtue of his prayer book and hymnic odes-among other works. His writings are equally prized as literary masterpieces, with the prayer book as the magnum opus.

With this meticulous translation of the prayers, St. Gregory of Narek enters another millennium of wonderment, now in a wider circle. The prayers resound from their author's heart-albeit in a different language, rendered by a renowned translator of early Armenian texts and a theologian.

About the Author
Abraham Terian is professor emeritus of Armenian theology and patristics at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, New York. A recipient of the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in the Humanities award and Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, he has extensive publications in the fields of Hellenistic, early Christian, and Armenian religious literature.

Reviews
"St. Gregory of Narek, revered and beloved monastic author of tenth-century Armenia, gave the 95 poetic prayers to his own tradition; called simply The Narek, they came to be regarded as a form of sacred scripture. Armenians often traveled with a copy of this beloved book; English speakers can now see the reason for their attention and their devotion. We are deeply indebted to Professor Abraham Terian for this clear, elegant, and beautiful translation of the prayers, which demonstrates why St. Gregory has at last been declared a doctor of the universal church."
Robin Darling-Young, The Catholic University of America

"Professor Terian's translation of St. Gregory of Narek's Prayers is masterful. His scrupulously literal rendition is lucid, the poetry, exquisite. Like the prayers themselves, the edition captures the reader's mind, heart, and soul-by its erudite introduction and annotations, by the rhapsodic beauty of the English, and by the power of the words to lift the supplicant to the realm of the Divine Word."
Bishop-Primate Michael Daniel Findikyan, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America

"With From the Depths of the Heart, a meticulous translation of the prayers, St. Gregory of Narek enters another millennium of wonderment, now in a wider circle."
SirReadaLot
"This is a book to be taken slowly, bit by bit, and used for prayer and reflection. Terian's translation and extensive annotation is most welcome."
Spirit & Life
"This book will be a 'must' for those with an interest in Armenian Christianity and will be eagerly read by those who wish to get to know another Doctor of the Church."
The Downside Review
"Terian's theological acumen shines through as he guides readers through Gregory's lamenting for the sins whose weight can only be 'scaled in heaps of sand' and searching for the elusive beauty that Christ promises sinners who turn to him."
Christian Century


"Terian's annotated translation must be considered the best version now available in the English language, and indubitable amongst the finest in any language. Specialists will wish to acquire it for its numerous insights and ingenious new solutions. But even more importantly, for the first time a reliable and theologically informed complete translation, lucid and flowing, can now be presented before the English-speaking public at large, and the volume may be enjoyed by the general reader."
Ecclesia Orans



Book Information
ISBN 9780814684641
Author Abraham Terian
Format Hardback
Page Count 568
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 862g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 32mm