The article studies two most popular translations of the Book of Lamentation by St. Gregory of Narek from Grabar (Old Armenian) into Modern Armenian. On the example of Mkrtich Kheranyan’s and Vazgen Gevorgyan’s translations an attempt is made to study how translators perceive, interpret and reproduce a Medieval work in Modern Armenian, what problems they encounter while translating the text and what solutions they offer. The analysis of these translations not only provides an opportunity to evaluate translators’ efforts, but also detect problems and some peculiar features of the translation, which in the future can contribute to the emergence of new, improved translations of the Book of Lamentation. Commentaries facilitate an accurate comprehension of the Book of Lamentation, enabling readers to evaluate the work of the translators. Commentaries were produced between the 13th and 19th centuries with the objective to facilitate the comprehension of Gregory’s work. From an analysis of the translations of the Book of Lamentation and the testimonies of the translators, it is evident that in the translation process they have made use of the commentaries, while drawing on their own insights. Furthermore, as the medieval interpreters and subsequently H. Patriarch Nalean and G. Avetikean addressed the interpretation of the original text with a clear objective in mind, we have also referred to the analysis of the correlations between the original, its various interpretations and translations.

KeywordsGregory of Narek Book of Lamentation prayer book problems of the translation commentary context medieval thinking

The contribution of St. Gregory of Narek (ca. 950–1003) to the corpus of world spirituality during the Middle Ages has been the subject of underestimation, particularly by Western authors and sources. In the contemporary era, Gregory of Narekʼs oeuvre, along with its dissemination and re-evaluation in the West, is regarded through the lens of literary schools, interpretations, and modern translations. Of particular significance is his canonization by the Catholic Church. Gregory of Narek is recognized as an exceptional chronicler of poetic art from the School of Narek and as a developer of its literary traditions. This article will focus on the theoretical and creative connections between the School of Narek and the School of Cilicia, which enabled chroniclers of the Cilician school to restore and rediscover Gregory of Narek’s literary legacy. The commentaries on the Book of Lamentation, in particular, have contributed to a more profound understanding of St. Gregory of Narek’s ecclesiastical and spiritual-poetic works, thereby facilitating comprehension for Western scholars and translators. The dissemination of St. Gregory of Narek’s oeuvre in the West has been significantly facilitated by the efforts of French, Russian, English, Italian, and other translators. On April 12, 2015, Pope Francis I formally designated Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Universal Church. This formal acknowledgement by the Catholic Church signifies a pivotal development, propelling heightened interest and closer examination of Gregory of Narek’s contributions within the Western academic and cultural landscape. It also heralds a renewed scholarly focus on the universal, human, and enduring significance of St. Gregory of Narek.

KeywordsSt. Gregory of Narek Book of Lamentation School of Narek School of Cilicia canonization poetic art universal key